Personal monitoring apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, including: an RFID reader located at an entrance or exit of a venue or located at an entrance or exit of a vehicle; a processor; and a transmitter. The RFID reader detects or reads an RFID tag on or associated with a personal monitoring device, wherein the RFID tag is detected or read by the RFID reader as the RFID tag enters the venue or the vehicle or exits from the venue or the vehicle. The processor generates a message containing information regarding a date and a time when the RFID tag was detected or read by the RFID reader and location information regarding the venue or the vehicle. The transmitter transmits the message to a user communication device and to a central processing computer. Information regarding the message, or the message, is stored in a distributed ledger and Blockchain technology system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/154,834, filed Mar. 1, 2021, and entitled“PERSONAL MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHODS”, the subject matter andteachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a personal monitoring apparatus andmethods for individuals of all ages and, in particular, to a personalmonitoring apparatus and methods for individuals of all ages which canbe utilized to monitor infants, children, the elderly, or individuals ofany and/or all ages, and/or to monitor their respective position orlocation utilizing RFID technologies and/or global positioninginformation in connection with expected itineraries and/or schedules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All too often we hear horror stories about children and adults beinglost, abducted, left in vehicles, left on school buses, or falling ill,or are found in, or placed in, any type or kind of dangerous orprecarious predicament. We also hear of individuals and, in particular,elderly individuals, becoming lost, disoriented, falling ill, orotherwise being in other precarious predicaments. Lastly, we also hearof individuals of any and/or all ages suddenly falling ill or being inneed of emergency medical attention or in need of other assistance.

While so-called “amber alerts” provide a public notification system ormethod which alerts or notifies the public regarding a missing child,and while so-called “silver alerts” are a public notification system ormethod which alerts or notifies the public regarding a missing person, amissing adult, or a missing elderly person afflicted with a conditionsuch as Alzheimer's, Dementia, or any other condition, these publicnotification systems are flawed in that they rely on members of thepublic to actually find, look out for, and/or find and/or report, themissing child or missing person. If the missing child or missing personbecomes disoriented, falls ill, gets lost in an isolated area, becomesfearful and/or tries to hide from others, the above-described publicnotification systems can be futile in finding the missing child ormissing person.

Providing children and adults of all ages with personal communicationdevices such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, orlike communication devices, can also prove useless if and when the childor adult falls ill, panics, is unable to speak, becomes unconscious, oris otherwise unable to utilize such a personal communication device.

In this regard, it is submitted that the prior art systems, which seekto find, locate, and provide assistance to or for, missing childrenand/or adults have many shortcomings and do not provide for an effectivemeans by which to find, locate, and assist, these missing children andadults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a personal monitoring apparatus andmethods for individuals of all ages, which overcomes the shortcomings ofthe prior art. The present invention pertains to a personal monitoringapparatus and methods for individuals of all ages, and, in particular,to a personal monitoring apparatus and methods for individuals of allages which can be utilized to monitor infants, children, the elderly, orindividuals of any and/or all ages, and/or to monitor their respectiveposition or location utilizing RFID technologies and/or globalpositioning information in connection with expected itineraries and/orschedules. The present invention also pertains to a personal monitoringapparatus and methods and, in particular, to a personal monitoringapparatus and methods which can be utilized to monitor infants,children, the elderly, or individuals of any and/or all ages, and/or tomonitor their position or location, their whereabouts, theirsurroundings, their vital signs, their physiological measurements,states, or condition, and/or any individual and/or individuals with whomthey may come into contact.

The present invention can also provide an apparatus and methods whichcan be utilized to monitor and/or to track the whereabouts and/or thetravels of an individual at any time, to compare an individual's currentwhereabouts to a location where they should be, ought to be, or areexpected to be, and/or to provide an alert, or to provide anotification, to the individual, a parent of the individual, a child ofthe individual, a relative of the individual, a caregiver of theindividual, an employer of the individual, a law enforcement agency orlaw enforcement personnel, emergency services personnel, a third party,or any other person or entity, when the individual is located at alocation where they should not be, where they ought not be, where theyare not expected to be, or when they have deviated from, or aredeviating from, a planned, an expected, or a desired, travel route, or aplanned, expected, or desired, itinerary or schedule.

For example, the present invention can be used to monitor thewhereabouts, the location, or the travel, of a child of any age, a childhaving special needs, a child who has become injured or ill, or a childwho has become lost, missing, or who has become a victim of foul play.As and for another example, the present invention can be used to monitorthe whereabouts, the location, or the travel, of an adult or an elderlyindividual, of any age, an adult or an elderly individual having specialneeds, an adult or an elderly individual who has become ill or injured,or an adult or an elderly individual who has become lost, missing, ordisoriented, or who has, or may have, become a victim of foul play.

The present invention can also be utilized to provide information or anindication, to the individual, or to any person(s) with whom theindividual may come into contact, which can provide informationindicative of the individual being where he or she should not be,indicative that the individual is lost, indicative that the individualis or might be injured or ill, or indicative that the individual isdisoriented, or in need of help or assistance.

The present invention can also be utilized to provide information or anindication, to a parent of the individual, to a child of the individual,to a relative of the individual, to a caregiver of the individual, to anemployer of the individual, to a law enforcement agency or lawenforcement personnel, to an emergency services personnel, to any thirdparty, or to any other person or entity, when the individual has beendetermined to be lost, injured, ill, disoriented, or otherwise in needof help or assistance.

The present invention can also be utilized to obtain, record, store,and/or provide, healthcare information or physiological data and/orinformation, or any other information regarding the state or status ofan individual, including, but not limited to, the individual's heartrate, blood pressure, body temperature, blood sugar level, or any otherphysical condition, physiological condition, or healthcare condition,which can be measured or can be measurable by any wearable device or byany implanted device or implantable device.

The present invention can also be utilized to initiate, establish,and/or maintain, a communication link, or a telephone call, with andbetween any of the herein-described personal monitoring devices with anyof the herein-described user communication devices, central processingcomputers, and/or law enforcement communication devices and/or emergencyservices communication devices. In this regard, for example, a line ofcommunication can be established with and/or between the personalmonitoring device of a lost, missing, or ill, child and a usercommunication device of, associated with, or used by, the child'sparent, relative, caregiver, or other authorized person. The presentinvention can also be utilized to provide an open, and/orspeakerphone-operated, line of communication with the personalmonitoring device so that a respective parent, relative, caregiver, orother authorized person can, using a user communication device, speakto, or engage in conversation with, the child or with any individualwith whom the child comes into contact so as to facilitate finding thechild, helping the child find help or his or her way back to a safelocation, and/or making sure that the child is brought to a place ofsafety and/or is safely returned home or to another safe location,and/or to make sure that the child's needs are provided for until beingreunited with his or her parent(s), a caregiver, or law enforcement. Thepresent invention can also be utilized in a same, a similar, or ananalogous, manner in providing personal monitoring for adults andelderly individuals of any age.

The present invention can also be utilized in order to establish, and toprovide services for, personal monitoring accounts for individuals. Apersonal monitoring account can be assigned to an individual in order toprovide any number or monitoring services for that individual. Forexample, a personal monitoring account can be utilized to allow anyother authorized individual, person, or entity, to monitor, and/or totrack location, position, or movement, of an individual, to communicatewith the individual at any time, to communicate with people in thevicinity of the individual, to obtain information regarding theposition, location, or whereabouts, of the individual, persons with whomthe individual may be in contact with, or may have come into contactwith, or the individual's itinerary, schedule, travels, and/or to obtainvideo and/or audio information regarding the individual, his or hertravels, locations, and/or any other information regarding theindividual. One or more personal monitoring accounts can be set up by orfor an individual. In this regard, an individual can have one personalmonitoring account (“PMA”) or a plurality of personal monitoringaccounts.

The present invention can be utilized to provide a number of variousfeatures and functionalities which can be useful in providing personalmonitoring services and operations for infants, children, and adults, ofany ages. The present invention can also be utilized to provide personalmonitoring services and operations for and regarding pets and animals ofany type or kind.

The apparatus of the present invention includes a personal monitoringdevice which is, or can be, a cellular telephone, a mobile telephone orwireless telephone, a Smartphone, a personal digital assistant, or anyother suitable device. The personal monitoring device can also be anywearable device. The personal monitoring device can be equipped with thecommunication equipment typically found in cellular telephones, mobiletelephones or wireless telephones, Smartphones, personal digitalassistants, or any other suitable devices, for facilitating a two-waycommunication with other individuals or entities and/or withcommunications devices, computers, equipment, or any other communicationequipment used by any individuals or entities described herein orotherwise. The personal monitoring device can also be equipped withglobal positioning system (GPS) device or equipment. The personalmonitoring device can also be equipped with navigation equipment such asare typically found in commercially available GPS navigation devices andequipment which are used to assist motorists and individuals travelingin motor vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot, in navigating from alocation to a destination. The personal monitoring device can also beequipped with a radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tag or anynumber of RFID tags.

The personal monitoring device can also be equipped with globalpositioning system (GPS) equipment and navigation equipment which canallow the personal monitoring device to act in a stand-alone manner,without having to obtain any navigation information from any externaldevice or computer. The personal monitoring device can be equipped toreceive, and provide to a user, navigation data and/or information,including, but not limited to, navigation instructions, which isobtained from an external computer or communication device or a serviceprovider computer or communication device.

The personal monitoring device can also be any communication device,computer, personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer,Smartphone or smartphone, smart telephone, cellular telephone, personaldigital assistant, tablet, tablet computer, watch, smart watch, orwearable device or computer, an implantable device or computer, an itemof jewelry, eyeglasses, or any accessory, or any combination of same, orany equivalent of same, which can be utilized by any person, individual,or entity, who or which utilizes the apparatus and methods of thepresent invention. The personal monitoring device can also be a servercomputer, a mainframe computer, a mini-computer, a microcomputer, or anyother computer or device for suiting the needs of the particular user.

Any number of personal monitoring devices can be utilized by or inconjunction with the apparatus of the present invention. The personalmonitoring device can communicate, in a bi-directional manner and/orotherwise, with and/or can operate in conjunction with any of thecomputers, communication devices, and/or computer systems, describedherein as being utilized in connection with the apparatus and methods ofthe present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes a centralprocessing computer or central processing computer system. The centralprocessing computer can be any computer or computer system or can be anycomputer which can be operated in a network environment with othercomputers or a server computer.

The central processing computer can provide control over the apparatusand can perform any of the various processing services, routines, and/orfunctions, described herein as being performed by the same. The centralprocessing computer can be a single computer or a system of computersand/or can include a plurality of computers or computer systems whichare utilized in conjunction with one another. The central processingcomputer can provide personal monitoring services for or regarding anynumber of individuals and/or entities and/or can provide personalmonitoring services for or regarding any number of individuals and/orentities who or which need, want, or desire, to monitor, to monitor thewhereabouts of, and/or who or which desire to be notified regarding thewhereabouts, location, healthcare status, or any occurrence of orregarding any event which may give rise to a need to find, locate,and/or monitor, a location of any child, adult, elderly person, or anyindividual of any age.

Any number of central processing computers can be utilized by or inconjunction with the apparatus of the present invention. The centralprocessing computer(s) can communicate, in a bi-directional mannerand/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate in conjunction with, thepersonal monitoring device and/or any of the other communicationdevices, computers, and/or computer systems, associated with or used byany of the individuals and/or entities who or which utilize theapparatus and methods of the present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes a usercommunication device or computer which is associated with, or which canbe used by, any one or more of any of the herein-described users,individuals, or entities, who or which utilize the apparatus and methodsof the present invention. Any number of user communication devices canbe utilized by or in conjunction with any user or any individual orentity who or which utilizes the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention, and any number of user communication devices can be utilizedin conjunction with the apparatus and methods of the present invention.

The user communication device(s) can communicate, in a bi-directionalmanner and/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate in conjunction withthe personal monitoring device and/or the central processing computerand/or any of the other herein-described communication devices,computers, and/or computer systems, associated with or used by any ofthe individuals and/or entities who or which utilize the apparatus andmethods of the present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes a law enforcementcommunication device or computer which is associated with, or which canbe used by, any law enforcement agency or department which utilizes theapparatus and methods of the present invention. Any number of lawenforcement communication devices can be utilized by or in conjunctionwith any law enforcement agency or department which utilizes theapparatus and methods of the present invention, and any number of lawenforcement communication devices can be utilized in conjunction withthe apparatus and methods of the present invention.

The law enforcement communication device(s) can communicate, in abi-directional manner and/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate inconjunction with the personal monitoring device, the central processingcomputer, the user communication device, and/or any of the otherherein-described communication devices, computers, and/or computersystems, associated with or used by any of the individuals and/orentities who or which utilize the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes an emergencyservices provider communication device or computer which is associatedwith, or which can be used by, any emergency services provider, agency,or department, which utilizes the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention. Any number of emergency services provider communicationdevices can be utilized by or in conjunction with any emergency servicesprovider, agency, or department, which utilizes the apparatus andmethods of the present invention, and any number of emergency servicesprovider communication devices can be utilized in conjunction with theapparatus and methods of the present invention.

The emergency services provider communication device(s) can communicate,in a bi-directional manner and/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate inconjunction with the personal monitoring device, the central processingcomputer, the user communication device, the law enforcementcommunication device, and/or any of the other herein-describedcommunication devices, computers, and/or computer systems, associatedwith or used by any of the individuals and/or entities who or whichutilize the apparatus and methods of the present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention can also include a healthcarerecords computer or communication device which stores an electronichealthcare record or electronic healthcare records for any of theherein-described individuals who or which can be monitored using theapparatus and methods of the present invention. The healthcare recordscomputer can also store healthcare records of any individual, children,adults, elderly persons, or any individual of any age, who is to bemonitored by and using the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention as well as any healthcare records of, for, or regarding, anyrelatives of any of these individuals.

The healthcare records computer can serve to store and house anelectronic healthcare record or any number of electronic healthcarerecords. The healthcare records computer can also be utilized tofacilitate cloud storage of any electronic healthcare record(s).

The healthcare records computer(s) can communicate, in a bi-directionalmanner and/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate in conjunction with,the personal monitoring device, the central processing computer, theuser communication device, the law enforcement communication device, theemergency services provider communication device, and/or any of theother communication devices, computers, and/or computer systems,associated with or used by any of the individuals and/or entities who orwhich utilize and/or operate in conjunction with the apparatus of thepresent invention.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes any number of radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags. An RFID tag can be attached to,affixed to, or placed on or in, a personal monitoring device. The RFIDtag can be worn by the individual or attached to an article of clothingworn by the individual. The RFID tags can be of any suitable type orkind, and can be selected from among the various types or kinds of RFIDtags which are available in the marketplace as of the filing date ofthis patent application. The RFID tags can be passive RFID tags or canbe active RFID tags. The RFID tags should be waterproof, washable,and/or otherwise be capable of being cleaned, and they should betemperature resistant and durable, in order to be utilized in all typesor kinds of environments, in all types or kinds of weather conditions,and/or in order to be utilized in conjunction with all types and/orkinds of clothing or apparel, shoes, boots, hats, gloves, accessories,and other wearable objects and/or articles. Any type or kind of RFID tagcan be utilized in connection with the apparatus of the presentinvention provided that the respective RFID tag is suitable for use inits particular application.

Any number of RFID tags can be utilized in connection with the apparatusof the present invention. Further, passive RFID tags can be utilized inany situation where a respective tag may not be capable of having itsown power source. In applications or embodiments where RFID tags can beprovided with a power source, then active RFID tags can be used. Forexample, if an RFID tag can be powered by a power source of the personalmonitoring device, then the RFID tag can be an active RFID tag. PassiveRFID tags can provide for the most convenient use since they do not haveor require a power source, but rather, they can be energized and operatewhen activated by a suitable RFID reader device.

The apparatus of the present invention also includes any number of RFIDreader systems which can be, or which can include, any suitable RFIDreader. Each RFIF reader system can be reader for passive RFID tags orcan be a reader for active RFID tags depending upon the application.Each RFIF reader system can be utilized to read any of the RFID tagsdescribed herein as being utilized in connection with the apparatus ofthe present invention. The RFID reader system can include any number ofRFID readers which can service any single venue or any single vehicle,or the RFID reader system can include any number of RFID readers whichcan service any number of venues and/or any number of vehicles.

The RFID reader system can communicate with and/or can interact with anyof the personal monitoring devices, the central processing computers,the user communication devices, the law enforcement communicationdevices, the emergency services provider communication devices, thehealthcare records computers, and/or any of the other communicationdevices, computers, and/or computer systems, described herein and/orassociated with, or used by, any of the individuals and/or entities whoor which utilize and/or operate in conjunction with the apparatus of thepresent invention. The RFID reader system can communicate with, and/orbe linked with, any of the personal monitoring devices, the centralprocessing computers, the user communication devices, the lawenforcement communication devices, the emergency services providercommunication devices, the healthcare records computers, and/or any ofthe other communication devices, computers, and/or computer systems,described herein, via a wired communication network, a wirelesscommunication network, or via any combination of wired and/or wirelesscommunication networks.

The apparatus of the present invention can also include any number ofvenue computers, with each venue/vehicle computer being assigned to arespective venue, which can be any premises or building, school, placeof work, or other physical location, and/or which can be the site ofsocial events, entertainment events, sporting events, or any otherevents or gatherings, as well as which can be any type or kind of placeof business, educational institution, or other public venue, or beingassigned to respective vehicle, which can be any land, sea, or air,vehicle, which can be any automobile of motor vehicle, train, subwaytrain, bus, or other mass transportation vehicle, or any boat, ship,submarine, or any marine vehicle, or any airplane, jet, helicopter, ortany other air vehicle, and/or which be any space vehicle, and/or anyvehicle or entity in which an individual can travel from one location toanother. Venues can also include, but not be limited to stores, placesof business, malls, shopping malls, public gathering places, privategathering places, restaurants, cafes, stadiums, arenas, and/or any otherplace where people can gather for an event or participate in anyactivity or activities, and/or any other place or location where theapparatus of the present invention can be utilized.

Each venue/vehicle computer can include, can be equipped with, or canhave assigned thereto, an RFID reader or RFID reader systems, or anynumber of RFID readers or RFID reader systems. Each venue/vehiclecomputer should be equipped with one or more RFID reader or RFID readersystems for reading any of the RFID tags which can enter the respectivevenue or vehicle, and/or which can leave the respective venue or vehiclewith which the venue/vehicle computer is associated.

The venue/vehicle computer can communicate with and/or interact with anyof the personal monitoring devices, the central processing computers,the user communication devices, the law enforcement communicationdevices, the emergency services provider communication devices, thehealthcare records computers, the RFID reader systems, and/or any of theother communication devices, computers, and/or computer systems,described herein and/or associated with, or used by, any of theindividuals and/or entities who or which utilize and/or operate inconjunction with the apparatus of the present invention. Thevenue/vehicle computer can communicate with, and/or be linked with, anyof the personal monitoring devices, the central processing computers,the user communication devices, the law enforcement communicationdevices, the emergency services provider communication devices, thehealthcare records computers, the RFID reader systems, and/or any of theother communication devices, computers, and/or computer systems,described herein. The venue/vehicle computer can communicate with,and/or be linked with, any of the personal monitoring devices, thecentral processing computers, the user communication devices, the lawenforcement communication devices, the emergency services providercommunication devices, and/or any of the other communication devices,computers, and/or computer systems, described herein, via a wiredcommunication network, a wireless communication network, or via anycombination of wired and/or wireless communication networks.

The venue/vehicle computer can be associated with, can utilized at,and/or can be used by any authorized person at, the respective venue orvehicle in order to interface with, and/or interact with, the centralprocessing computer or with any other computers and communicationdevices described herein as being used in or with the apparatus of thepresent invention. Each venue/vehicle computer can include any number ofcomputers, server computers, or computer systems.

Each of the herein-described central processing computers, lawenforcement communication devices, emergency services providercommunication devices, healthcare records computers, RFID readersystems, and/or venue/vehicle computers, can also have a website orwebsites associated therewith.

Any of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFID reader systems,and/or the venue/vehicle computer, can be any computer or communicationdevice, including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a homecomputer, a server computer, or any computer capable of being utilizedin a network or capable of being utilized with other computers in anetwork, or a hand-held computer, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer,a personal communication device, a cellular telephone, a wirelesstelephone, a mobile telephone, a digital television, an interactivetelevision, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, atelephone, a digital telephone, a television, an interactive television,a beeper, a pager, and/or a watch or a Smart watch, and/or any wearabledevice, computer or communication device.

Each of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFID reader systems,and/or the venue/vehicle computers, can transmit information to, as wellas receive information from, any of the computers or communicationdevices described herein. In this regard, each of the computers orcommunication devices described herein can communicate with, processinformation from, and/or share data and/or information with, each otherand/or any other computer(s) or communication device(s) described hereinand/or utilized in conjunction with the apparatus of the presentinvention. In this manner, any of the respective computer(s) orcommunication device(s) described herein can communicate with any othercomputer(s) or communication device(s) described herein in abi-directional manner.

The present invention can be utilized on, over, and/or via, the Internetand/or the World Wide Web, and/or on, over, and/or via, any othercommunication network, and/or on, over, and/or via, any wirelesscommunication network and/or any cellular communication network. Thepresent invention can also utilize wireless Internet and/or World WideWeb services, equipment and/or devices. The central processingcomputer(s) can have a web site or web sites associated therewith. Eachof the other computers or communication devices described herein canalso have a web site or web sites associated with same.

Although the Internet and/or the World Wide Web can be preferredcommunication system and/or medium utilized, the present invention, inany and/or all of the embodiments described herein, can also be utilizedwith any appropriate communication network or system including, but notlimited to, a telecommunication network or system, a telephonecommunication network or system, a cellular communication network orsystem, a wireless communication network or system, a line or wiredcommunication network or system, a wireless Internet network or system,a wireless World Wide Web network or system, a digital communicationnetwork or system, a personal communication network or system, apersonal communication services (PCS) network or system, a satellitecommunication network or system, a broad band communication network orsystem, a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite network or system, a publicswitched telephone network or system, a telephone communication networkor system, a radio communication network or system, a cable televisionnetwork or system, and/or any other communication network or system,and/or any combination of the above communication networks or systems.

Any of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFID reader systems,and/or the venue/vehicle computers, can communicate with one another,and/or be linked to one another, over or via any communication network,telecommunication network, telephone network, a line-connected network,and/or a wireless communication network, and/or the Internet and/or theWorld Wide Web. Each of the computers or communication devices describedherein can be linked with any other computers or communication devicesdirectly or indirectly with one another so as to facilitate a direct orindirect bi-directional communication between said respective computersor communication devices. Communications between each of the computersor communication devices described herein can also involve an e-mailserver or e-mail servers in those instances when e-mails are describedas being used to transmit or to send any of the information, signals,messages, reports, notification messages, or any other communications,described herein, by or between any of the computers or communicationdevices described herein, or when any of the information, signals,messages, reports, notification messages, or any other computers orcommunications, described herein, are transmitted by and/or between anyof the parties described herein and/or by or between any of thecomputers or communication devices described herein, or any othercomputers or communication devices, computer systems, communicationnetwork equipment, server computers, etc., or any other devices used orneeded, in order to facilitate communications or the transmission of anyof the herein-described information, signals, messages, reports,notification messages, or any other communications.

Each of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFID reader systems,and/or the venue/vehicle computers, can communicate in a bi-directionalmanner with, and/or can send and/or receive signals, data, information,messages, reports, notification messages, alerts, or any othercommunications or electronic communication transmissions, to, fromand/or between, any other, or any number of, other personal monitoringdevice(s), central processing computer(s), user communication device(s),law enforcement communication device(s), emergency services providercommunication device(s), healthcare records computer(s), RFID readersystems, and/or venue/vehicle computers.

Each of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFID reader systems,and/or the venue/vehicle computers, can be linked to or with any otherpersonal monitoring device(s), central processing computer(s), usercommunication device(s), law enforcement communication device (s),emergency services provider communication device(s), healthcare recordscomputer(s), RFID reader systems, and/or venue/vehicle computers, via awired link or line or a wireless link.

Each of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFID reader systems,and/or the venue/vehicle computers, can be connected with, or linked toor with, the central processing computer(s).

Any and/or all of the signals, data, information, messages, reports,notification messages, or any other communications, described herein asbeing transmitted from one device, computer, or communication device, toanother device, computer, or communication device, can be, or can beincluded in, or can be attached to, an e-mail message, an instantmessaging message, an electronic transmission, or an electronic datatransmission or electronic data interchange, or can be transmitted viaany other data or information transmission, and/or can be transmittedvia or using any appropriate or necessary computer(s) or device(s).

Each of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFID reader systems,and/or the venue/vehicle computers, can transmit data and/or informationusing TCP/IP, as well as any other Internet and/or World Wide Web,and/or communication, protocols.

The apparatus of the present invention can utilize electronic commercetechnologies and security methods, techniques and technologies,including any encryption or security technologies and/or techniques, inany and/or all of the instances of data and/or information processing,and/or data and/or information transmission described herein.

The personal monitoring device includes a central processing unit or CPUwhich can be a microprocessor or any other suitable processing device.The CPU can also be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer,and/or a mainframe computer, depending upon the application. Thepersonal monitoring device can also include a random access memorydevice(s) (RAM), a read only memory device(s) (ROM), each of which isconnected to, or linked with, the CPU, and a user input device, forinputting and/or entering data and/or information and/or instructionsand/or commands into the personal monitoring device. The input devicecan include any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a user pointingdevice, such as, for example, a mouse, a stylus, a touch pad, and/or anaudio input device, a microphone, an audio recording device, and/or avideo input device, a camera or any number of cameras, a video recordingdevice, and/or any device, electronic and/or otherwise, which can beutilized for inputting and/or entering data and/or information and/orinstructions and/or commands into the personal monitoring device.

The input device(s) can also be or can include a pulse rate monitor ormeasurement device or equipment, a heart rate monitor of measurementdevice or equipment, a blood sugar monitor or measurement device orequipment, a blood pressure monitor or measurement device or equipment,a blood alcohol monitor or measurement device or equipment, a pacemaker,a defibrillator, a thermometer for measuring an individual's bodytemperature, or any other device, monitor, or measurement, device orequipment, and/or any electrical or bio-medical device or equipment,which can measure an individual's physical condition, health condition,health status, healthcare condition, or physiological condition orstatus, or any other biological or biometric data and/or information.

Any of the herein-described pulse rate monitors or measurement devicesor equipment, heart rate monitors of measurement devices or equipment,blood sugar monitors or measurement devices or equipment, blood pressuremonitors or measurement devices or equipment, blood alcohol monitors ormeasurement devices or equipment, pacemakers, defibrillators,thermometers, or any other devices, monitors, or measurement devices orequipment, and/or any electrical or bio-medical devices or equipment,can be wirelessly linked with and/or to the CPU and/or to the personalmonitoring device and can be wearable, attachable to clothing, orimplantable. The input device(s) can also include a thermometer formeasuring the temperature on the exterior of the personal monitoringdevice.

The personal monitoring device can also include a display device fordisplaying data and/or information to a user or operator. The personalmonitoring device also includes a transmitter(s), for transmittingsignals and/or data and/or information to any one or more of the centralprocessing computer(s), the user communication device(s), the lawenforcement communication device (s), the emergency services providercommunication device(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFIDreader system(s), the venue/vehicle computer(s), and/or any otherpersonal monitoring device(s), which can be utilized in conjunction withthe present invention. The personal monitoring device also includes areceiver(s) for receiving signals and/or data and/or information fromany one or more of the central processing computer(s), the usercommunication device(s), the law enforcement communication device (s),the emergency services provider communication device(s), the healthcarerecords computer(s), the RFID reader system(s), the venue/vehiclecomputer(s), and/or any other personal monitoring device(s), which canbe utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

The personal monitoring device also includes a database(s) for storingany data and/or information, as well as any software programs and/orsoftware applications, and/or any other information needed forperforming any of the functions or functionalities described herein asbeing performed by the personal monitoring device and/or the apparatusof the present invention.

The personal monitoring device can also include an output device(s) foroutputting any of the data, information, and/or reports, describedherein as being generated by or via the personal monitoring device. Theoutput device(s) can be a display screen, a speaker, a printer, adisplay of any type or kind, an indicator light, a transmitter, a modem,and/or any other device which can be used to output data or informationof any kind or type. The output device(s) can also include a beacon or ahoming beacon which can transmit or provide a signal, a distress signal,or any other indication, from the personal monitoring device which canbe utilized determine the position, location, and/or movement, of thepersonal monitoring device.

The personal monitoring device can also include a video and/or audiorecording device(s) which can include a camera and/or a video recordingdevice for recording pictures or video and/or video clips and/or amicrophone or an audio recording device for recording audio or audioclips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by or from thepersonal monitoring device, or which can be recorded by, and stored ator in, the personal monitoring device for transmission by or from thepersonal monitoring device at a later time. The video and/or audiorecording device(s) can be utilized to facilitate video conferencing,video chatting, and/or audio conferencing, and/or video and audioconferencing, between users of the personal monitoring device and anyuser of any other computer or communication device described herein.

The personal monitoring device can also include a global positioningsystem (GPS) device which can be utilized to determine or ascertain thelocation or position of the personal monitoring device at any timeand/or to track movement of the personal monitoring device. The personalmonitoring device can also include device functional equipment systemsor devices, which can include any the necessary communications systemsor devices which are typically found in cellular telephones or wirelesstelephones and/or which can allow the personal monitoring device tofunction as a cellular telephone or a wireless telephone. The functionalequipment systems or devices can also include a global positioningsystem (GPS) device which can be utilized to determine or ascertain thelocation or position of the personal monitoring device at any time andwhich can be also be used to track movement of the personal monitoringdevice. The functional equipment systems or devices can also includenavigation equipment or devices which are typically found in navigationdevices or equipment and which can be utilized to allow the personalmonitoring device to function and/or to operate as a GPS equippednavigation device. The personal monitoring device can also function as astand alone navigation device, meaning that it can perform any and/orall needed and desired navigation tasks and functions without anyinteraction with an external computer or device, and/or without havingto access a computer over any communication network in order to obtainnavigation data, information, and/or instructions, for providingnavigation data, information, and/or instructions, to a user of thepersonal monitoring device.

The functional equipment systems or devices can also include a “kill”switch or associated hardware and/or software for disabling and/ordeactivating the personal monitoring device in instances when same mightbe lost or stolen, so as to prevent its use by another person and/or toprevent any access to any data and/or information stored therein,thereby rendering the personal monitoring device useless to anotherperson after being reported, or discovered as being, lost or stolen.

The personal monitoring device can also operate in conjunction with anexternal computer or device in order to obtain navigation data,information, and/or instructions, so as to provide same to a user of thepersonal monitoring device. The personal monitoring device can processnavigation data, information, and/or instructions, on its own as well asreceive at least some navigation data, information, and/or instructions,from an external computer or device, in order to provide navigationdata, information, and/or instructions, to a user of the personalmonitoring device.

The functional equipment systems or devices can also include anycombination of hardware and/or software for disabling the on/off switchof the personal monitoring device, so that the personal monitoringdevice cannot be shut-off, or so that no operation or function of thepersonal monitoring device can be terminated, and/or so that a telephonecall, a telephone communication link, or a communication line or link,cannot be turned off or terminated, by or at the personal communicationdevice. In this regard, in the case of an emergency, no telephone calland/or communication line or link between the personal monitoring deviceand any user communication device(s), the or any central processingcomputer(s), the or any law enforcement communication device (s), the orany emergency services provider communication device(s), and/or the orany healthcare records computer(s), can be terminated at or by thepersonal monitoring device, so that a communication line, link, orchannel can always be maintained with the personal monitoring device.

In this regard, for example, if a child is lost, a telephone call and/orcommunication line, link, or channel, with and between the child and hisor her parent can be maintained without the risk of the call beingterminated at or by the personal monitoring device. In this regard, theparent can continue to speak with and communication with the child, canobtain position or location information from or via the personalmonitoring device, can track the personal monitoring device, and/or canobtain any other information from and/or via the personal monitoringdevice, without losing contact with the child and/or his or her personalmonitoring device.

The functional equipment systems or devices can also include anycombination of hardware and/or software for allowing the personalmonitoring device and any components or devices therein or associatedtherewith to be remotely accessed, controlled, and/or monitored, by orusing any authorized user communication device used by an authorizeduser or individual, the or any central processing computer(s), the orany law enforcement communication device (s), the or any emergencyservices provider communication device(s), and/or the or any healthcarerecords computer(s). The personal monitoring device can also include anRFID tag which can be attached to, connected to, located on, or locatedwithin or inside a housing of, the personal monitoring device.

The central processing computer includes a central processing unit orCPU which can be a microprocessor or any other suitable processingdevice, microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application, a random accessmemory device(s) (RAM), a read only memory device(s) (ROM), a user inputdevice, a display device, and a transmitter(s), for transmitting signalsand/or data and/or information to any one or more of the personalmonitoring device(s), the user communication device(s), the lawenforcement communication device(s), the emergency services providercommunication device(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFIDreader system(s), the venue/vehicle computer(s), and/or any othercentral processing computer(s).

The central processing computer also includes a receiver(s) forreceiving signals and/or data and/or information from any one or more ofthe personal monitoring device(s), the user communication device(s), thelaw enforcement communication device(s), the emergency services providercommunication device(s), the healthcare records computer(s), the RFIDreader system(s), the venue/vehicle computer(s), and/or any othercentral processing computer(s).

The central processing computer also includes a database(s) which cancontain and/or include any and/or all of the data and/or information,and/or any software programs or software applications, needed or desiredfor or by the central processing computer to perform all of theoperations, actions, functions, and/or functionality, described hereinas being provided by, and/or as being performed by, the centralprocessing computer and/or the apparatus of the present invention. Thecentral processing computer can also include an output device(s), and avideo and/or audio recording device(s).

The user communication device includes a central processing unit or CPUwhich can be a microprocessor or other suitable processing device,and/or can be microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer. The user communication device can also include arandom access memory device(s) (RAM), a read only memory device(s)(ROM), a user input device, a display device, and a transmitter(s) fortransmitting signals and/or data and/or information to any one or moreof the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the law enforcement communication device (s), the emergencyservices provider communication device(s), the healthcare recordscomputer(s), the RFID reader system(s), the venue/vehicle computer(s),and/or any other user communication device(s).

The user communication device can also include a receiver(s) forreceiving signals and/or data and/or information from any one or more ofthe personal monitoring device(s), the central processing computer(s),the law enforcement communication device (s), the emergency servicesprovider communication device(s), the healthcare records computer(s),the RFID reader system(s), the venue/vehicle computer(s), and/or anyother user communication device(s).

The user communication device can also include a database which cancontain and/or can include any data and/or information, and/or anysoftware programs or software applications, needed or desired forenabling and/or for allowing the user communication device to performany and/or all of the functionality described herein which is capable ofbeing performed by the user communication device and/or the apparatus ofthe present invention.

The user communication device can also include an output device(s) and avideo and/or audio recording device(s). The user communication devicecan also include a “kill” switch or associated hardware and/or softwarefor disabling and/or deactivating the user communication device ininstances when same might be lost or stolen, so as to prevent its use byanother person and/or to prevent any access to any data and/orinformation stored therein, thereby rendering the user communicationdevice useless to another person after being reported, or beingdiscovered, as being lost or stolen.

Each of the law enforcement communication device(s), the emergencyservices provider communication device(s), and the healthcare recordscomputers, can also include a central processing unit or CPU, a randomaccess memory device(s) (RAM), a read only memory device(s) (ROM), auser input device(s), a display device, a transmitter(s), a receiver(s),a database, an output device(s), and a video and/or audio recordingdevice(s).

The RFID reader system can include any number of RFID readers which canservice any single venue or any single vehicle, or the RFID readersystem can include any number of RFID readers which can service anynumber of venues and/or any number of vehicles. The RFID reader systemincludes a central processing unit or CPU which can be a microprocessoror any other suitable processing device, and/or a microcomputer, aminicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or a mainframe computer.

The RFID reader system can also include a random access memory (RAM)device(s), a read only (ROM) memory device(s), a user input device(s),and a display device. The RFID reader system can also include atransmitter, for transmitting signals and/or data and/or information toany one or more of the personal monitoring device(s), the centralprocessing computer(s), the user communication device(s), the lawenforcement communication device (s), the emergency services providercommunication device(s), and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s), or to anyof the other RFID reader systems. The RFID reader system also includes areceiver, for receiving signals and/or data and/or information from anyone or more of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s), or from any of theother RFID reader systems.

The RFID reader system can also include a database(s) which can containand/or include any data and/or information, and/or any software programsor software applications, which may be required, and/or which may bedesired, for performing any of the functionality and/or processingroutines described herein as being performed by the RFID reader systemand/or the apparatus of the present invention.

The RFID reader system also includes an output device(s) for outputtingany of the data and/or information described herein as being generatedby or via the RFID reader system, and a video and/or audio recordingdevice(s), which can include a camera and/or a video recording devicefor recording pictures or video and/or video clips and/or a microphoneor an audio recording device for recording audio or audio clips whichcan be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by or from the RFID readersystem, or which can be recorded by, and stored at or in, the RFIDreader system for transmission by or from the RFID reader system at alater time. The RFID reader system can also include a global positioningdevice for determining the position or location of the RFID readersystem.

The RFID reader system can also include an RFID reader, or any number ofRFID readers which can be any commercially available RFID reader devicewhich can be suitable for use with the kind or type of RFID readersystem and RFID tags which are utilized in connection with the apparatusof the present invention. Any number of RFID readers can be utilized toservice any single venue or any single vehicle. Each RFID reader can bestationed or positioned at, or adjacent to, a particular entrance, exit,door, doorway, and/or gateway, of, or any other entrance or exit means,of a respective vehicle or a respective vehicle, by or via which anindividual, using a personal monitoring device, can enter and/or exitthe respective venue or the respective vehicle.

The venue/vehicle computer includes a central processing unit or CPUwhich can be a microprocessor or other suitable processing device, or amicrocomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or a mainframecomputer. Each venue/vehicle computer can be associated with, assignedto, and/or deployed at, on, or in, any respective venue or anyrespective vehicle.

The venue/vehicle computer can also include a random access memory (RAM)device(s), a read only (ROM) memory device(s), a user input device(s),and a display device. The venue/vehicle computer can also include atransmitter, for transmitting signals and/or data and/or information toany one or more of the personal monitoring device(s), the centralprocessing computer(s), the user communication device(s), the lawenforcement communication device (s), the emergency services providercommunication device(s), the healthcare records computers, and/or RFIDreader systems, and/or to any other venue/vehicle computer(s), and areceiver, for receiving signals and/or data and/or information from anyone or more of the personal monitoring device(s), the central processingcomputer(s), the user communication device(s), the law enforcementcommunication device (s), the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), the healthcare records computers, and/or the RFID readersystems, and/or to any other venue/vehicle computer(s).

The venue/vehicle computer also includes a database(s) which can containand/or include any data and/or information, and/or any software programsand/or software applications, required or desired for performing all ofthe functions and/or functionalities described herein as being performedby the venue/vehicle computer and/or the apparatus of the presentinvention.

The venue/vehicle computer can also include an output device(s), a videoand/or audio recording device(s), which can include a camera and/or avideo recording device for recording pictures or video and/or videoclips and/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recordingaudio or audio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live,by or from the venue/vehicle computer, or which can be recorded by, andstored at or in, the venue/vehicle computer for transmission by or fromthe venue/vehicle computer at a later time, and a global positioningdevice for determining the position or location of the venue/vehiclecomputer.

The venue/vehicle computer can also include one or more RFID readerswhich can be any commercially available RFID reader of RFID readerdevice(s) which can be suitable for use with the kind or type of venueor vehicle which is utilized, which can be suitable for thevenue/vehicle computer which is utilized, and/or which can be suitablefor the particular RFID reading functionality required at the respectivevenue or the respective vehicle. One or more RFID readers can bestationed at, or positioned at, a respective entrance, exit, door,doorway, gateway, or other means by which an individual using a personalmonitoring device can enter and/or exit the respective venue or therespective vehicle. In this manner, the RFID reader(s) can read or scana respective RFID tag(s) which are attached to or affixed to, or whichare placed on or inside, the respective personal monitoring device beingused by the individual as they enter and/or exit the respective venue orthe respective vehicle. The RFID readers can be, or can include, any ofthe herein-described RFID readers of any of the herein-described RFIDreader systems.

The apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized tomonitor an individual or individuals of any age. In this regard, theapparatus and/or the personal monitoring device can be utilized tomonitor any child, infant, teenager or young adult, adult of any age,and/or elderly individual. The apparatus and/or the personal monitoringdevice can also be utilized to monitor any child, infant, teenager oryoung adult, adult of any age, and/or elderly individual, who may or maynot be inflicted with a condition, illness, or disease, or who may ormay not be inflicted with autism, Alzheimer's disease, memory loss, orbe ill with any temporary or permanent illness, sickness, disease, orcondition. The apparatus and/or the personal monitoring device can alsobe utilized to monitor any child, infant, teenager or young adult, adultof any age, and/or elderly individual, as a safety precaution.

Any user or individual who utilizes a personal monitoring device, or whohas a personal monitoring device assigned to him or her, or who has apersonal monitoring device associated with him or her, can be referredto herein, or can be defined herein as being, a “monitored individual”.Any user or individual who utilizes a user communication device tomonitor a monitored individual can be referred to herein, or can bedefined herein as being, a “monitoring individual”.

It is envisioned that a personal monitoring device can be programmedwith, or can have stored therein or therewith, information regarding themonitored individual's home address, residence address, school residenceaddress or place, workplace address, or other address, place, orlocation, which is considered to be that monitored individual's place ofsafety or “home base” or “safe location”. It is also envisioned that thepersonal monitoring device can be programmed with, or can have storedtherein or therewith, information regarding any address(es), place(s),or location(s), to which the monitored individual typically travels on adaily basis. For example, the personal monitoring device can beprogrammed with, or can have stored therein or therewith, informationregarding the monitored individual's school address, place, or location,workplace address, place, or location, employment address, place, orlocation, activity or event address, place, or location, or any otheraddress, place, or location, to which the monitored individual is knownto travel on a weekday basis, on a weekend daily basis, or on any dailybasis.

The personal monitoring device can also be programmed with the monitoredindividual's travel itineraries and/or travel schedules for traveling toand between one address, place, or location to another address, place,or location. The personal monitoring device can also be programmed withtravel routes or directions for traveling to and between one address,place, or location to another address, place, or location. The personalmonitoring device can also be programmed with software programs,navigation programs, or any algorithms or software applications, foridentifying, determining, ascertaining, or calculating, any travelroutes or directions for traveling to and between one address, place, orlocation to another address, place, or location.

The personal monitoring device can be utilized in connection with, or inconjunction with, the RFID tags in order to detect and/or to ascertainwhen the monitored individual enters into or onto, and/or exits from,any venue or any vehicle, and/or to detect and/or to ascertain when themonitored individual enters into or onto, and/or exits from, any venueor any vehicle during his or her daily activities and/or daily travels,regardless of whether or not the monitored individual is traveling inaccordance with his or her travel itinerary or schedule.

The personal monitoring device can also be utilized in connection with,or in conjunction with, the apparatus, the central processing computer,a user communication device associated with, or used by, any user orindividual authorized to, or assigned to, monitor the monitoredindividual, any law enforcement communication device, and/or anyemergency services provider communication device. The personalmonitoring device can also be utilized as a stand-alone device by themonitored individual to allow the monitored individual to monitor his orher travels, whereabouts, or environment.

The personal monitoring device can also be utilized to record, and/or toreport on, the travels and/or travel history of or for a monitoredindividual for any given period of time. The personal monitoring deviceand/or the central processing computer can also utilize artificialintelligence (AI) and/or machine learning algorithms and/or programs inorder to modify the stored or expected travel itinerary or schedule of amonitored individual.

The apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized inorder to monitor a monitored individual's entry into or onto, and/orexit from, a respective venue or a respective vehicle. In particular,the apparatus of the present invention can be utilized in order todetect and/or to ascertain, and/or to report and/or to providenotification, to an authorized user or to a monitoring individual,regarding when a monitored individual enters into or onto, and/or exitsfrom, a venue, and/or enters into or onto, or exits from, a vehicleduring the course of their daily activities and/or travels. Therespective venue or vehicle can be equipped with an RFID reader(s) of arespective RFID reader system, or an RFID reader(s) of a respectivevenue/vehicle computer. An RFID reader or an RFID reader can bepositioned at, or can be stationed at, a respective door, doorway, gate,or gateway, for each door, doorway, gate, or gateway, which serves as anentry point into, or exit point from, the respective venue or therespective vehicle.

Each time a monitored individual enters into or onto the respectivevenue or into or onto the respective vehicle, the RFID tag, of orassociated with the monitored individual's personal monitoring device,can be read by the respective RFID reader or RFID reader which ispositioned at the respective door, doorway, gate, or gateway, of therespective venue or the respective vehicle through which the monitoredindividual enters the same. The detection of the RFID tag can bereported, by and/or from the RFID reader system or the venue/vehiclecomputer, associated with the respective RFID reader or RFID readerassociated with the respective venue/vehicle computer, to the centralprocessing computer, to the user communication device, and/or to thepersonal monitoring device, via a transmission of an appropriate signalfrom the respective RFID reader system or the respective venue/vehiclecomputer to the central processing computer, to the user communicationdevice, and/or to the personal monitoring device. Thereafter, therespective reader system or the respective venue/vehicle computer,and/or the central processing computer, can generate an entrynotification message and/or an entry alert message which can containand/or can include information identifying the monitoring individual,information regarding the date and time when the monitoring individualentered into or onto the respective venue or entered into or onto therespective vehicle, and/or information identifying the respective venueor the respective vehicle. The personal monitoring device can alsogenerate the herein-described entry notification message and/or entryalert message.

In the case of the monitored individual entering into or onto a venue,the entry notification message and/or entry alert message can containand/or can include information regarding the address of the venue and acontact individual and contact telephone number for the venue. In thecase of the monitored individual entering into or onto a vehicle, theentry notification message and/or entry alert message can contain and/orcan include information for identifying the vehicle, identifying thetype of vehicle (such as, for example, a private car or vehicle, a carservice vehicle, a ride-sharing vehicle (such as an Uber vehicle or aLYFT vehicle), a mass transportation vehicle, a bus, a train, a subwaytrain, a boat of any type, kind or size, or an aircraft or helicopter ofany type, kind, or size), and/or make and model information and/orvehicle identification information for the vehicle, informationregarding the vehicle operator, and/or contact information for thevehicle and/or the vehicle operator and/or a telephone number for thevehicle owner or the vehicle operator. In the case of the monitoredindividual entering into or onto a vehicle, the entry notificationmessage and/or entry alert message can also contain and/or can includeinformation regarding the position or location of the vehicle at thetime the monitored individual enters into to onto the vehicle. Theposition or location of the vehicle can be determined and/or ascertainedby the global positioning device of the venue/vehicle computerassociated with the respective venue or the respective vehicle.

The respective reader system or the respective venue/vehicle computer,and/or the central processing computer, can transmit the entrynotification message and/or the entry alert message to the usercommunication device which is used by, associated with, or assigned to,the monitoring individual for the monitored individual. The monitoringindividual can be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, a relative, afriend, a guardian, or any other authorized person. In a situation wherethe monitored individual may be monitored by more than one monitoringindividual, then the respective reader system or the respectivevenue/vehicle computer, and/or the central processing computer, cantransmit the entry notification message and/or the entry alert messageto the user communication device which is used by, associated with, orassigned to, each such monitoring individual. The respective readersystem and/or the central processing computer can also transmit theentry notification message and/or the entry alert message to any lawenforcement communication device(s) and/or to any emergency servicesprovider communication device(s), if needed or desired. The personalmonitoring device can transmit the entry notification message and/or theentry alert message to the user communication device(s) which is usedby, associated with, or assigned to, the monitoring individual(s) forthe monitored individual, and/or to any law enforcement communicationdevice(s), and/or to any emergency services provider communicationdevice(s), if needed or desired.

Any data and/or information contained in the entry notification messageand/or the entry alert message can be stored in a travel log or travelhistory for the monitored individual, which travel log or travel historycan be stored in any of the databases, of the respective devices,computers, or communications devices described herein.

The apparatus of the present invention can also utilize the RFID tags,the RFID reader systems, the RFID readers, the venue/vehicle computers,or RFID readers, and the global positioning device of the personalmonitoring device, along with an individual's itinerary or scheduleinformation, in order to monitor the location, movements, and/orwhereabouts, of the individual. The apparatus of the present inventioncan also utilize the RFID tags, the RFID reader systems, the RFIDreaders, the venue/vehicle computers, or the RFID readers, along with anindividual's itinerary or schedule information, in order to monitor thelocation, movements, and/or whereabouts, of the individual.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedin connection with, or in conjunction with, a distributed ledger andwith Blockchain technology. A distributed ledger and Blockchaintechnology can be utilized along with a central processing computer, ina combined system, wherein certain of the transactions, described hereinas being performed by the apparatus, can be processed and/or performedby and/or with a central processing computer and/or certain othertransactions can be processed and/or performed by and/or with, and/orusing, a distributed ledger and Blockchain technology or Blockchaintechnologies. Any and/or all transactions, described herein as beingperformed and/or processed by the apparatus, can also be processedand/or performed by and/or with, and/or using, a distributed ledger andBlockchain technology or Blockchain technologies, and/or anycryptocurrency Blockchain technology or technologies.

Any type of Blockchain technology can be utilized in connection with theapparatus and methods of the present invention. For example, theapparatus and methods of the present invention can utilize a distributedledger(s) along with any Blockchain technology or technologies, BitcoinBlockchain technology or technologies, Ethereum Blockchain technology ortechnologies, Bitcoin Cash Blockchain technology or technologies,Litecoin Blockchain technology or technologies, Privacy Coin Bitcointechnology or technologies, and/or any other suitable Blockchaintechnology or technologies, and/or Smart contracts and/or Smart contracttechnology or technologies and/or decentralized autonomous organizations(DAOs), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) technology ortechnologies, and/or any combination of same.

By utilizing a distributed ledger and a suitable Blockchain technology,the apparatus and methods of the present invention can reduce the amountof processing performed by, and reliance on, a central processingcomputer and/or can eliminate the need for a central processing computerand any centralized entity which might operate the central processingcomputer.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedin order to facilitate telehealth services or remote healthcare servicesto, for, or on behalf of, a monitored individual. In this regard, theapparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilized inorder to facilitate telehealth visits or remote healthcare visitsbetween a monitored individual and a medical doctor, a dentist, atherapist, and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services. The apparatus and methods of the presentinvention can also be utilized in order to facilitate telehealth visitsor remote healthcare visits between a medical doctor, a dentist, atherapist, and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services, and a caregiver for the monitoredindividual, an individual seeking to aid the monitored individual,and/or a law enforcement officer or agent and/or emergency servicespersonnel for or on behalf of the monitored individual.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedin a same, a similar, and/or an analogous, manner in order to monitorand/or to safeguard animals, pets, articles, and/or vehicles, or piecesor items of property.

The apparatus of the present invention can also be utilized in a same, asimilar, and/or an analogous, manner in order to monitor the movementsand/or whereabouts of vehicles of all types or kinds, shippingcontainers and/or articles of luggage of all types, kinds, or sizes,and/or articles of any type or kind, and/or shipping containers, as wellas vehicles transporting any of the same. In such an application, thepersonal monitoring device can be attached to, or located in, therespective vehicle, the respective shipping container or article ofluggage, or the respective article, or the components of the personalmonitoring device can be integrated with or within the respectivevehicle, the respective shipping container or article of luggage, or therespective article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention, in blockdiagram form;

FIG. 2 illustrates the personal monitoring device of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form;

FIG. 3 illustrates the personal monitoring device of FIG. 1 in athree-dimensional perspective view;

FIG. 4 illustrates the central processing computer of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form;

FIG. 5 illustrates the user communication device of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form;

FIG. 6 illustrates the law enforcement communication device of FIG. 1,in block diagram form;

FIG. 7 illustrates the emergency services provider communication deviceof FIG. 1, in block diagram form;

FIG. 8 illustrates the healthcare records computer of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form;

FIG. 9 illustrates the RFID reader system of FIG. 1, in block diagramform;

FIG. 10 illustrates the venue/vehicle computer of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form;

FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred embodiment method for utilizing theapparatus of the present invention, in flow diagram form;

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another preferred embodiment method forutilizing the apparatus of the present invention, in flow diagram form;

FIG. 13 illustrates a preferred embodiment method for utilizing theapparatus of the present invention, in flow diagram form;

FIG. 14 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention, in block diagram form;

FIG. 15 illustrates the central processing computer component of thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem of FIG. 14, in block diagram form;

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a preferred embodiment method for utilizingthe apparatus of FIG. 14, in flow diagram form; and

FIG. 17 illustrates another preferred embodiment method for utilizingthe apparatus of FIG. 14, in flow diagram form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention pertains to a personal monitoring apparatus andmethods for individuals of all ages and, in particular, to a personalmonitoring apparatus and methods for individuals of all ages which canbe utilized to monitor infants, children, the elderly, or individuals ofany and/or all ages, and/or to monitor their respective position orlocation utilizing RFID technologies and/or global positioninginformation in connection with expected itineraries and/or schedules.The present invention also pertains to a personal monitoring apparatusand methods and, in particular, to a personal monitoring apparatus andmethods which can be utilized to monitor infants, children, the elderly,or individuals of any and/or all ages, and/or to monitor their positionor location, their whereabouts, their surroundings, their vital signs,their physiological measurements, states, or condition, and/or anyindividual and/or individuals with whom they may come into contact.

The present invention can also provide an apparatus and methods whichcan be utilized to monitor and/or to track the whereabouts and/or thetravels of an individual at any time, to compare an individual's currentwhereabouts to a location where they should be, ought to be, or areexpected to be, and/or to provide an alert, or to provide anotification, to the individual, a parent of the individual, a child ofthe individual, a relative of the individual, a caregiver of theindividual, an employer of the individual, a law enforcement agency orlaw enforcement personnel, emergency services personnel, a third party,or any other person or entity, when the individual is located at alocation where they should not be, where they ought not be, where theyare not expected to be, or when they have deviated from, or aredeviating from, a planned, an expected, or a desired, travel route, or aplanned, expected, or desired, itinerary or schedule.

For example, the apparatus and methods or the present invention can beused to monitor the whereabouts, the location, or the travel, of a childof any age, a child having special needs, a child who has become injuredor ill, or a child who has become lost, missing, or who has become avictim of foul play. As and for another example, the apparatus andmethods of the present invention can be used to monitor the whereabouts,the location, or the travel, of an adult or an elderly individual, ofany age, an adult or an elderly individual having special needs, anadult or an elderly individual who has become ill or injured, or anadult or an elderly individual who has become lost, missing, ordisoriented, or who has, or may have, become a victim of foul play.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedto provide information or an indication, to the individual, or to anyperson(s) with whom the individual may come into contact, which canprovide information indicative of the individual being where he or sheshould not be, indicative that the individual is lost, indicative thatthe individual is or might be injured or ill, or indicative that theindividual is disoriented, or in need of help or assistance.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedto provide information or an indication, to a parent of the individual,to a child of the individual, to a relative of the individual, to acaregiver of the individual, to an employer of the individual, to a lawenforcement agency or law enforcement personnel, to an emergencyservices personnel, to any third party, or to any other person orentity, when the individual has been determined to be lost, injured,ill, disoriented, or otherwise in need of help or assistance.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedto obtain, record, store, and/or provide, healthcare information orphysiological data and/or information, or any other informationregarding the state or status of an individual, including, but notlimited to, the individual's heart rate, blood pressure, bodytemperature, blood sugar level, or any other physical condition,physiological condition, or healthcare condition, which can be measuredor can be measurable by any wearable device or by any implanted deviceor implantable device.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedto initiate, establish, and/or maintain, a communication link, or atelephone call, with and between any of the herein-described personalmonitoring devices with any of the herein-described user communicationdevices, central processing computers, and/or law enforcementcommunication devices and/or emergency services communication devices.In this regard, for example, a line of communication can be establishedwith and/or between the personal monitoring device of a lost, missing,or ill, child and a user communication device of, associated with, orused by, the child's parent, relative, caregiver, or other authorizedperson. The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also beutilized to provide an open, and/or speakerphone-operated, line ofcommunication with the personal monitoring device so that a respectiveparent, relative, caregiver, or other authorized person can, using auser communication device, speak to, or engage in conversation with, thechild or with any individual with whom the child comes into contact soas to facilitate finding the child, helping the child find help or hisor her way back to a safe location, and/or making sure that the child isbrought to a place of safety and/or is safely returned home or toanother safe location, and/or to make sure that the child's needs areprovided for until being reunited with his or her parent(s), acaregiver, or law enforcement. The apparatus and methods of the presentinvention can also be utilized in a same, a similar, or an analogous,manner in providing personal monitoring for adults and elderlyindividuals of any age.

The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedin order to establish, and to provide services for, personal monitoringaccounts for individuals. In a preferred embodiment, a personalmonitoring account can be assigned to an individual in order to provideany number or monitoring services for that individual. For example, apersonal monitoring account can be utilized to allow any otherauthorized individual, person, or entity, to monitor, and/or to tracklocation, position, or movement, of an individual, to communicate withthe individual at any time, to communicate with people in the vicinityof the individual, to obtain information regarding the position,location, or whereabouts, of the individual, persons with whom theindividual may be in contact with, or may have come into contact with,or the individual's itinerary, schedule, travels, and/or to obtain videoand/or audio information regarding the individual, his or her travels,locations, and/or any other information regarding the individual. In apreferred embodiment, one or more personal monitoring accounts can beset up by or for an individual. In this regard, an individual can haveone personal monitoring account (“PMA”) or a plurality of personalmonitoring accounts.

As will be described herein, the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention can be utilized to provide a number of various features andfunctionalities which can be useful in providing personal monitoringservices and operations for infants, children, and adults, of any ages.The apparatus and methods of the present invention can also be utilizedto provide personal monitoring services and operations for and regardingpets and animals of any type or kind.

Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subject matter andteachings of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/154,834,filed Mar. 1, 2021, and entitled “PERSONAL MONITORING APPARATUS ANDMETHODS”, the subject matter and teachings of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subject matter andteachings of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/880,608,filed Jul. 30, 2019, and entitled “PERSONAL MONITORING APPARATUS ANDMETHODS”, the subject matter and teachings of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subject matter andteachings of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/909,622, filed Jun. 23,2020, and entitled “PERSONAL MONITORING APPARATUS AND METHODS”, thesubject matter and teachings of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention, in blockdiagram form. The apparatus of the present invention is denotedgenerally by the reference numeral 100. In the preferred embodiment, theapparatus 100 of the present invention includes a personal monitoringdevice 10. In the preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring deviceis, or can be, a cellular telephone, a mobile telephone or wirelesstelephone, a Smartphone, a personal digital assistant, or any othersuitable device. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10 can also be any wearable device.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can beequipped with the communication equipment typically found in cellulartelephones, mobile telephones or wireless telephones, Smartphones,personal digital assistants, or any other suitable devices, forfacilitating a two-way communication with other individuals or entitiesand/or with communications devices, computers, equipment, or any othercommunication equipment used by any individuals or entities describedherein or otherwise. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10 can also be equipped with global positioning system (GPS)device or equipment. In another preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can also be equipped with navigation equipment suchas are typically found in commercially available GPS navigation devicesand equipment which are used to assist motorists and individualstraveling in motor vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot, in navigating froma location to a destination. In a preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can also be equipped with a radio-frequencyidentification (“RFID”) tag or any number of RFID tags.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beequipped with global positioning system (GPS) equipment and navigationequipment which can allow the personal monitoring device 10 to act in astand-alone manner, without having to obtain any navigation informationfrom any external device or computer. In another preferred embodiment,the personal monitoring device 10 can be equipped to receive, andprovide to a user, navigation data and/or information, including, butnot limited to, navigation instructions, which is obtained from anexternal computer or communication device or a service provider computeror communication device.

The personal monitoring device 10 can also be any communication device,computer, personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer,Smartphone or smartphone, smart telephone, cellular telephone, personaldigital assistant, tablet, tablet computer, watch, smart watch, orwearable device or computer, an implantable device or computer, an itemof jewelry, eyeglasses, or any accessory, or any combination of same, orany equivalent of same, which can be utilized by any person, individual,or entity, who or which utilizes the apparatus 100 and methods of thepresent invention. The personal monitoring device 10 can also be aserver computer, a mainframe computer, a mini-computer, a microcomputer,or any other computer or device for suiting the needs of the particularuser.

Any number of personal monitoring devices 10 can be utilized by or inconjunction with the apparatus 100 of the present invention. Thepersonal monitoring device 10 can communicate, in a bi-directionalmanner and/or otherwise, with and/or can operate in conjunction with anyof the computers, communication devices, and/or computer systems,described herein as being utilized in connection with the apparatus 100and methods of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the present inventionalso includes a central processing computer or central processingcomputer system 20 (hereinafter referred to as the “central processingcomputer 20”). In the preferred embodiment the central processingcomputer 20 can be any computer or computer system or can be anycomputer which can be operated in a network environment with othercomputers or a server computer.

In the preferred embodiment, the central processing computer 20 canprovide control over the apparatus 100 and can perform any of thevarious processing services, routines, and/or functions, describedherein as being performed by the same. The central processing computer20 can be a single computer or a system of computers and/or can includea plurality of computers or computer systems which are utilized inconjunction with one another. The central processing computer 20, in thepreferred embodiment, can provide personal monitoring services for orregarding any number of individuals and/or entities and/or can providepersonal monitoring services for or regarding any number of individualsand/or entities who or which need, want, or desire, to monitor, tomonitor the whereabouts of, and/or who or which desire to be notifiedregarding the whereabouts, location, healthcare status, or anyoccurrence of or regarding any event which may give rise to a need tofind, locate, and/or monitor, a location of any child, adult, elderlyperson, or any individual of any age.

Any number of central processing computers 20 can be utilized by or inconjunction with the apparatus 100 of the present invention. The centralprocessing computer(s) 20 can communicate, in a bi-directional mannerand/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate in conjunction with, thepersonal monitoring device 10 and/or any of the other communicationdevices, computers, and/or computer systems, associated with or used byany of the individuals and/or entities who or which utilize theapparatus 100 and methods of the present invention.

The apparatus 100 also includes a user communication device or computer30 (hereinafter referred to as “user communication device 30” or “usercomputer 30”) which is associated with, or which can be used by, any oneor more of any of the herein-described users, individuals, or entities,who or which utilize the apparatus 100 and methods of the presentinvention.

Any number of user communication devices 30 can be utilized by or inconjunction with any user or any individual or entity who or whichutilizes the apparatus 100 and methods of the present invention, and anynumber of user communication devices 30 can be utilized in conjunctionwith the apparatus 100 and methods of the present invention.

The user communication device(s) 30 can communicate, in a bi-directionalmanner and/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate in conjunction withthe personal monitoring device 10 and/or the central processing computer20 and/or any of the other herein-described communication devices,computers, and/or computer systems, associated with or used by any ofthe individuals and/or entities who or which utilize the apparatus 100and methods of the present invention.

The apparatus 100 also includes a law enforcement communication deviceor computer 40 (hereinafter referred to as “law enforcementcommunication device 40” or “law enforcement computer 40”) which isassociated with, or which can be used by, any law enforcement agency ordepartment which utilizes the apparatus 100 and methods of the presentinvention.

Any number of law enforcement communication devices 40 can be utilizedby or in conjunction with any law enforcement agency or department whichutilizes the apparatus 100 and methods of the present invention, and anynumber of law enforcement communication devices 40 can be utilized inconjunction with the apparatus 100 and methods of the present invention.

The law enforcement communication device(s) 40 can communicate, in abi-directional manner and/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate inconjunction with the personal monitoring device 10, the centralprocessing computer 20, the user communication device 30, and/or any ofthe other herein-described communication devices, computers, and/orcomputer systems, associated with or used by any of the individualsand/or entities who or which utilize the apparatus 100 and methods ofthe present invention.

The apparatus 100 also includes an emergency services providercommunication device or computer 50 (hereinafter referred to as an“emergency services provider communication device 50” or “emergencyservices provider computer 50”) which is associated with, or which canbe used by, any emergency services provider, agency, or department,which utilizes the apparatus 100 and methods of the present invention.

Any number of emergency services provider communication devices 50 canbe utilized by or in conjunction with any emergency services provider,agency, or department, which utilizes the apparatus 100 and methods ofthe present invention, and any number of emergency services providercommunication devices 50 can be utilized in conjunction with theapparatus 100 and methods of the present invention.

The emergency services provider communication device(s) 50 cancommunicate, in a bi-directional manner and/or otherwise, with, and/orcan operate in conjunction with the personal monitoring device 10, thecentral processing computer 20, the user communication device 30, thelaw enforcement communication device 40, and/or any of the otherherein-described communication devices, computers, and/or computersystems, associated with or used by any of the individuals and/orentities who or which utilize the apparatus 100 and methods of thepresent invention.

The apparatus 100 can also include a healthcare records computer orcommunication device 60 (hereinafter referred to as “healthcare recordscomputer 60”) which, in a preferred embodiment, stores an electronichealthcare record or electronic healthcare records for any of theherein-described individuals who or which can be monitored using theapparatus 100 and methods of the present invention. In a preferredembodiment, the healthcare records computer 60 can also store healthcarerecords of any individual, children, adults, elderly persons, or anyindividual of any age, who is to be monitored by and using the apparatus100 and methods of the present invention as well as any healthcarerecords of, for, or regarding, any relatives of any of theseindividuals.

In a preferred embodiment, the healthcare records computer 60 orcomputers can serve to store and house an electronic healthcare recordor any number of electronic healthcare records. The healthcare recordscomputer 60 can also be utilized to facilitate cloud storage of anyelectronic healthcare record(s).

The healthcare records computer(s) 60 can communicate, in abi-directional manner and/or otherwise, with, and/or can operate inconjunction with, the personal monitoring device 10, the centralprocessing computer 20, the user communication device 30, the lawenforcement communication device 40, the emergency services providercommunication device 50, and/or any of the other communication devices,computers, and/or computer systems, associated with or used by any ofthe individuals and/or entities who or which utilize and/or operate inconjunction with the apparatus 100 of the present invention.

With reference once again to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 also includes anynumber of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags 70 (hereinafterreferred to as “RFID tag 70” or “RFID tags 70”). In a preferredembodiment, an RFID tag 70 can be attached to, affixed to, or placed onor in, a personal monitoring device 10. In another preferred embodiment,the RFID tag 70 can be worn by the individual or attached to an articleof clothing worn by the individual. In a preferred embodiment, the RFIDtags 70 can be of any suitable type or kind, and can be selected fromamong the various types or kinds of RFID tags which are available in themarketplace as of the filing date of this patent application. In apreferred embodiment, the RFID tags 70 can be passive RFID tags, whilein other preferred embodiments any one or more of the RFID tags 70 canbe active RFID tags. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID tags 70 shouldbe waterproof, washable, and/or otherwise be capable of being cleaned,and they should be temperature resistant and durable, in order to beutilized in all types or kinds of environments, in all types or kinds ofweather conditions, and/or in order to be utilized in conjunction withall types and/or kinds of clothing or apparel, shoes, boots, hats,gloves, accessories, and other wearable objects and/or articles. In apreferred embodiment, any type or kind of RFID tag 70 can be utilized inconnection with the apparatus 100 of the present invention provided thatthe respective RFID tag is suitable for use in its particularapplication.

Any number of RFID tags 70 can be utilized in connection with theapparatus 100 of the present invention. Further, in a preferredembodiment, passive RFID tags can be utilized in any situation where arespective tag may not be capable of having its own power source. Inembodiments where RFID tags can be provided with a power source, thenactive RFID tags can be used. For example, if an RFID tag 70 can bepowered by a power source of the personal monitoring device 10, then theRFID tag 70 can be an active RFID tag. In a preferred embodiment,passive RFID tags can provide for the most convenient use since they donot have or require a power source, but rather, they can be energizedand operate when activated by a suitable RFID reader device.

With reference once again to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 also includes anynumber of RFID reader systems 80 which can be, or which can include, anysuitable RFID reader. In a preferred embodiment, each RFIF reader system80 can be reader for passive RFID tags or can be a reader for activeRFID tags depending upon the application. In a preferred embodiment,each RFIF reader system 80 can be utilized to read any of the RFID tags80 described herein as being utilized in connection with the apparatus100 of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID readersystem 80 can include any number of RFID readers which can service anysingle venue or any single vehicle, or the RFID reader system 80 caninclude any number of RFID readers which can service any number ofvenues and/or any number of vehicles.

The RFID reader system 80 can communicate with and/or can interact withany of the personal monitoring devices 10, the central processingcomputers 20, the user communication devices 30, the law enforcementcommunication devices 40, the emergency services provider communicationdevices 50, the healthcare records computers 60, and/or any of the othercommunication devices, computers, and/or computer systems, describedherein and/or associated with, or used by, any of the individuals and/orentities who or which utilize and/or operate in conjunction with theapparatus 100 of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, theRFID reader system 80 can communicate with, and/or be linked with, anyof the personal monitoring devices 10, the central processing computers20, the user communication devices 30, the law enforcement communicationdevices 40, the emergency services provider communication devices 50,the healthcare records computers 60, and/or any of the othercommunication devices, computers, and/or computer systems, describedherein, via a wired communication network, a wireless communicationnetwork, or via any combination of wired and/or wireless communicationnetworks.

With reference once again to FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 can also includeany number of venue computers 90 or vehicle computers 90 (hereinafterreferred to as “venue/vehicle computer 90”), with each venue/vehiclecomputer 90 being assigned to a respective venue, which can be anypremises or building, school, place of work, or other physical location,and/or which can be the site of social events, entertainment events,sporting events, or any other events or gatherings, as well as which canbe any type or kind of place of business, educational institution, orother public venue, or being assigned to respective vehicle, which canbe any land, sea, or air, vehicle, which can be any automobile of motorvehicle, train, subway train, bus, or other mass transportation vehicle,or any boat, ship, submarine, or any marine vehicle, or any airplane,jet, helicopter, ort any other air vehicle, and/or which be any spacevehicle, and/or any vehicle or entity in which an individual can travelfrom one location to another.

In a preferred embodiment, venues can also include, but not be limitedto stores, places of business, malls, shopping malls, public gatheringplaces, private gathering places, restaurants, cafes, stadiums, arenas,and/or any other place where people can gather for an event orparticipate in any activity or activities, and/or any other place orlocation where the apparatus 100 of the present invention can beutilized.

In a preferred embodiment, each venue/vehicle computer 90 can include,can be equipped with, or can have assigned thereto, an RFID reader orRFID reader systems 80, or any number of RFID readers or RFID readersystems 80. In a preferred embodiment, each venue/vehicle computer 90should be equipped with one or more RFID reader or RFID reader systems80 for reading any of the RFID tags 70 which can enter the respectivevenue or vehicle, and/or which can leave the respective venue or vehiclewith which the venue/vehicle computer 90 is associated.

The venue/vehicle computer 90 can communicate with and/or interact withany of the personal monitoring devices 10, the central processingcomputers 20, the user communication devices 30, the law enforcementcommunication devices 40, the emergency services provider communicationdevices 50, the healthcare records computers 60, the RFID reader systems80, and/or any of the other communication devices, computers, and/orcomputer systems, described herein and/or associated with, or used by,any of the individuals and/or entities who or which utilize and/oroperate in conjunction with the apparatus 100 of the present invention.In the preferred embodiment, the venue/vehicle computer 90 cancommunicate with, and/or be linked with, any of the personal monitoringdevices 10, the central processing computers 20, the user communicationdevices 30, the law enforcement communication devices 40, the emergencyservices provider communication devices 50, the healthcare recordscomputers 60, the RFID reader systems 80, and/or any of the othercommunication devices, computers, and/or computer systems, describedherein. In the preferred embodiment, the venue/vehicle computer 90 cancommunicate with, and/or be linked with, any of the personal monitoringdevices 10, the central processing computers 20, the user communicationdevices 30, the law enforcement communication devices 40, the emergencyservices provider communication devices 50, and/or any of the othercommunication devices, computers, and/or computer systems, describedherein, via a wired communication network, a wireless communicationnetwork, or via any combination of wired and/or wireless communicationnetworks.

The venue/vehicle computer 90 can be associated with, can utilized at,and/or can be used by any authorized person at, the respective venue orvehicle in order to interface with, and/or interact with, the centralprocessing computer 20 or with any other computers and communicationdevices described herein as being used in or with the apparatus 100. Ina preferred embodiment, each venue/vehicle computer 90 can include anynumber of computers, server computers, or computer systems.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the herein-described centralprocessing computers 20, law enforcement communication devices 40,emergency services provider communication devices 50, healthcare recordscomputers 60, RFID reader systems 80, and/or venue/vehicle computer 90,can also have a website or websites associated therewith.

In the preferred embodiment, any of the personal monitoring device(s)10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the user communicationdevice(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, theemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcarerecords computer(s) 60, the RFID reader systems 80, and/or thevenue/vehicle computer 90, can be any computer or communication device,including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a home computer, aserver computer, or any computer capable of being utilized in a networkor capable of being utilized with other computers in a network, or ahand-held computer, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a personalcommunication device, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, amobile telephone, a digital television, an interactive television, adigital television, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a digitaltelephone, a television, an interactive television, a beeper, a pager,and/or a watch or a Smart watch, and/or any wearable device, computer orcommunication device.

Each of the personal monitoring device(s) 10, the central processingcomputer(s) 20, the user communication device(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader systems 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computers 90, cantransmit information to, as well as receive information from, any of thecomputers or communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90described herein. In this regard, each of the computers or communicationdevices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, can communicate with,process information from, and/or share data and/or information with,each other and/or any other computer(s) or communication device(s) 10,20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, described herein and/or utilized inconjunction with the apparatus 100 of the present invention. In thismanner, any of the respective computer(s) or communication device(s) 10,20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, can communicate with any othercomputer(s) or communication device(s) 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80,and/or 90, in a bi-directional manner.

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention can be utilized on,over, and/or via, the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, and/or on,over, and/or via, any other communication network, and/or on, over,and/or via, any wireless communication network and/or any cellularcommunication network. The present invention, in the preferredembodiment, can also utilize wireless Internet and/or World Wide Webservices, equipment and/or devices. In a preferred embodiment, thecentral processing computer(s) 20, in the preferred embodiment, has aweb site or web sites associated therewith. Each of the other computersor communication devices described herein can also have a web site orweb sites associated with same.

Although the Internet and/or the World Wide Web is a preferredcommunication system and/or medium utilized, the present invention, inany and/or all of the embodiments described herein, can also be utilizedwith any appropriate communication network or system including, but notlimited to, a telecommunication network or system, a telephonecommunication network or system, a cellular communication network orsystem, a wireless communication network or system, a line or wiredcommunication network or system, a wireless Internet network or system,a wireless World Wide Web network or system, a digital communicationnetwork or system, a personal communication network or system, apersonal communication services (PCS) network or system, a satellitecommunication network or system, a broad band communication network orsystem, a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite network or system, a publicswitched telephone network or system, a telephone communication networkor system, a radio communication network or system, a cable televisionnetwork or system, and/or any other communication network or system,and/or any combination of the above communication networks or systems.

Any of the personal monitoring device(s) 10, the central processingcomputer(s) 20, the user communication device(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader systems 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computers 90, cancommunicate with one another, and/or be linked to one another, over orvia any communication network, telecommunication network, telephonenetwork, a line-connected network, and/or a wireless communicationnetwork, and/or the Internet and/or the World Wide Web. Each of thecomputers or communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 80, and/or90, can be linked with any other computers or communication devicesdirectly or indirectly with one another so as to facilitate a direct orindirect bi-directional communication between said respective computersor communication devices. Communications between each of the computersor communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, can alsoinvolve an e-mail server or e-mail servers in those instances whene-mails are described as being used to transmit or to send any of theinformation, signals, messages, reports, notification messages, or anyother communications, described herein, by or between any of thecomputers or communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or90, or when any of the information, signals, messages, reports,notification messages, or any other computers or communications,described herein, are transmitted by and/or between any of the partiesdescribed herein and/or by or between any of the computers orcommunication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, or anyother computers or communication devices, computer systems,communication network equipment, server computers, etc., or any otherdevices used or needed, in order to facilitate communications or thetransmission of any of the herein-described information, signals,messages, reports, notification messages, or any other communications.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the personal monitoring device(s) 10,the central processing computer(s) 20, the user communication device(s)30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, the emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcare recordscomputer(s) 60, the RFID reader systems 80, and/or the venue/vehiclecomputers 90, can communicate in a bi-directional manner with, and/orcan send and/or receive signals, data, information, messages, reports,notification messages, alerts, or any other communications or electroniccommunication transmissions, to, from and/or between, any other, or anynumber of, other personal monitoring device(s) 10, central processingcomputer(s) 20, user communication device(s) 30, law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, emergency services provider communicationdevice(s) 50, healthcare records computer(s) 60, RFID reader systems 80,and/or venue/vehicle computers 90.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the personal monitoring device(s) 10,the central processing computer(s) 20, the user communication device(s)30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, the emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcare recordscomputer(s) 60, the RFID reader systems 80, and/or the venue/vehiclecomputers 90, can be linked to or with any other personal monitoringdevice(s) 10, central processing computer(s) 20, user communicationdevice(s) 30, law enforcement communication device (s) 40, emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50, healthcare recordscomputer(s) 60, RFID reader systems 80, and/or venue/vehicle computers90, via a wired link or line or a wireless link.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the personal monitoring device(s) 10,the central processing computer(s) 20, the user communication device(s)30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, the emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcare recordscomputer(s) 60, the RFID reader systems 80, and/or the venue/vehiclecomputers 90, can be connected with, or linked to or with, the centralprocessing computer(s) 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment, any and/or all of the signals, data,information, messages, reports, notification messages, or any othercommunications, described herein as being transmitted from one device,computer, or communication device, to another device, computer, orcommunication device, can be, or can be included in, or can be attachedto, an e-mail message, an instant messaging message, an electronictransmission, or an electronic data transmission or electronic datainterchange, or can be transmitted via any other data or informationtransmission, and/or can be transmitted via or using any appropriate ornecessary computer(s) or device(s).

In the preferred embodiment, each of the personal monitoring device(s)10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the user communicationdevice(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, theemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcarerecords computer(s) 60, the RFID reader systems 80, and/or thevenue/vehicle computers 90, can transmit data and/or information usingTCP/IP, as well as any other Internet and/or World Wide Web, and/orcommunication, protocols.

The apparatus 100 of the present invention can utilize electroniccommerce technologies and security methods, techniques and technologies,including any encryption or security technologies and/or techniques, inany and/or all of the instances of data and/or information processing,and/or data and/or information transmission described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the personal monitoring device 10 of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device10 can be a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobiletelephone, a Smartphone, a smartphone, or a personal digital assistant,or the personal monitoring device 10 can be or can be a component of apersonal computer, a home computer, a laptop computer, a notebookcomputer, a tablet computer, a tablet, a hand-held computer, a palmtopcomputer, a personal communication device, a cellular telephone, awireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a Smartphone, a smartphone, apersonal digital assistant, a digital television, an interactivetelevision, a digital television, a telephone, a digital telephone, atelevision, an interactive television, a beeper, a pager, and/or a watchor a Smart watch, and/or any wearable device, computer or communicationdevice. The personal monitoring device 10 can also be a server computer,or any computer capable of being utilized in a network or capable ofbeing utilized with other computers in a network.

The personal monitoring device 10 can also be any communication device,computer, personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer,Smartphone or smartphone, smart telephone, cellular telephone, personaldigital assistant, tablet, tablet computer, watch, smart watch, orwearable device or computer, an implantable device or computer, an itemof jewelry, eyeglasses, or any accessory, or any combination of same, orany equivalent of same.

With reference to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 includes a central processing unit or CPU 10A,which in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 10A canalso be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application.

The personal monitoring device 10 also includes a random access memorydevice(s) 10B (RAM), a read only memory device(s) 10C (ROM), each ofwhich is connected to, or linked with, the CPU 10A, and a user inputdevice 10D, for inputting and/or entering data and/or information and/orinstructions and/or commands into the personal monitoring device 10,which can include any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a userpointing device, such as, for example, a mouse, a stylus, a touch pad,and/or an audio input device, a microphone, an audio recording device,and/or a video input device, a camera or any number of cameras, a videorecording device, and/or any device, electronic and/or otherwise, whichcan be utilized for inputting and/or entering data and/or informationand/or instructions and/or commands into the personal monitoring device10.

The input device(s) 10D is/are also connected to, or linked with, theCPU 10A. In a preferred embodiment, the input device(s) 10D can also beor can include a pulse rate monitor or measurement device or equipment,a heart rate monitor of measurement device or equipment, a blood sugarmonitor or measurement device or equipment, a glucose monitor ormeasurement device or equipment, a blood pressure monitor or measurementdevice or equipment, a blood alcohol monitor or measurement device orequipment, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a thermometer for measuring anindividual's body temperature, a pulse oximeter for measuring and/ormonitoring oxygen saturation and/or pulse rate, an oximeter, a digitalfinger pulse oximeter, an electrocardiogram monitor or device, an EKGmonitor or device, an electroencephalogram monitor or device, an EEGmonitor or device, an electromyography monitor or device, an EMG monitoror device, a defibrillator, a pacemaker, or any other device, monitor,or measurement, device or equipment, and/or any electrical orbio-medical device or equipment, which can measure an individual'sphysical condition, health condition, health status, healthcarecondition, or physiological condition or status, or any other biologicalor biometric data and/or information. In a preferred embodiment, anypulse rate monitor or measurement device or equipment, heart ratemonitor of measurement device or equipment, blood sugar monitor ormeasurement device or equipment, glucose monitor or measurement deviceor equipment, blood pressure monitor or measurement device or equipment,blood alcohol monitor or measurement device or equipment, pacemaker,defibrillator, thermometer for measuring an individual's bodytemperature, pulse oximeter for measuring and/or monitoring oxygensaturation and/or pulse rate, oximeter, digital finger pulse oximeter,electrocardiogram monitor or device, EKG monitor or device,electroencephalogram monitor or device, EEG monitor or device,electromyography monitor or device, EMG monitor or device,defibrillator, pacemaker, or any other device, monitor, or measurement,device or equipment, and/or any electrical or bio-medical device orequipment, which can measure an individual's physical condition, healthcondition, health status, healthcare condition, or physiologicalcondition or status, or any other biological or biometric data and/orinformation, can be an input device 10D, or can be a component of anyinput device 10D, can be connected via a wired connection to thepersonal monitoring device 10, can be connected via a wirelessconnection to the personal monitoring device 10D, and/or can beconnected via a Bluetooth or other suitable or appropriate wirelesstechnology.

In another preferred embodiment, the input device 10D can also be, orcan include, an interface device (I/F device) for receiving data and/orinformation from any one or more, or from any combination of, any pulserate monitor or measurement device or equipment, heart rate monitor ofmeasurement device or equipment, blood sugar monitor or measurementdevice or equipment, glucose monitor or measurement device or equipment,blood pressure monitor or measurement device or equipment, blood alcoholmonitor or measurement device or equipment, pacemaker, defibrillator,thermometer for measuring an individual's body temperature, pulseoximeter for measuring and/or monitoring oxygen saturation and/or pulserate, oximeter, digital finger pulse oximeter, electrocardiogram monitoror device, EKG monitor or device, electroencephalogram monitor ordevice, EEG monitor or device, electromyography monitor or device, EMGmonitor or device, defibrillator, pacemaker, or any other device,monitor, or measurement, device or equipment, and/or any electrical orbio-medical device or equipment, which can measure an individual'sphysical condition, health condition, health status, healthcarecondition, or physiological condition or status, or any other biologicalor biometric data and/or information.

In a preferred embodiment, any of the herein-described pulse ratemonitors or measurement devices or equipment, heart rate monitors ofmeasurement devices or equipment, blood sugar monitors or measurementdevices or equipment, blood pressure monitors or measurement devices orequipment, blood alcohol monitors or measurement devices or equipment,pacemakers, defibrillators, thermometers, or any other devices,monitors, or measurement devices or equipment, and/or any electrical orbio-medical devices or equipment, can be wirelessly linked with and/orto the CPU 10A and/or to the personal monitoring device 10 and can bewearable, attachable to clothing, or implantable. In a preferredembodiment, the input device(s) 10D can also include a thermometer formeasuring the temperature on the exterior of the personal monitoringdevice 10.

In preferred embodiment, any of the input device(s) 10D described oridentified herein can be either connected to, or linked with, or withthe CPU 10A directly or indirectly, and/or or can be wirelessly linkedto or with the personal monitoring device 10, the CPU 10A, or any othercomponent of the personal monitoring device 10 with or using a Bluetoothdevice or system and/or any suitable wireless device or wireless linkingdevice or wireless linking system.

The personal monitoring device 10 can also include a display device 10Efor displaying data and/or information to a user or operator. In thepreferred embodiment, the display device 10E is also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 10A. The personal monitoring device 10 alsoincludes a transmitter(s) 10F, for transmitting signals and/or dataand/or information to any one or more of the central processingcomputer(s) 20, the user communication device(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or anyother personal monitoring device(s) 10, which can be utilized inconjunction with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, thetransmitter(s) 10F is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU10A. The personal monitoring device 10 also includes a receiver(s) 10G,for receiving signals and/or data and/or information from any one ormore of the central processing computer(s) 20, the user communicationdevice(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, theemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcarerecords computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, the venue/vehiclecomputer(s) 90, and/or any other personal monitoring device(s) 10, whichcan be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. In thepreferred embodiment, the receiver(s) 10G is/are also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 10A.

The personal monitoring device 10 also includes a database(s) 10H. Inthe preferred embodiment, the database(s) 10H is/are also connected to,or linked with, the CPU 10A. The database(s) 10H can contain and/or canbe linked to any of the data and/or information described herein asbeing stored in the respective database(s) of any of the centralprocessing computer(s) 20, the user communication device(s) 30, the lawenforcement communication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90,described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the database 10H can contain and/or caninclude any data and/or information, and/or any link or links to anydata and/or information, needed or desired for enabling and/or forallowing the personal monitoring device 10 and/or the apparatus 100and/or any of the computers or communication devices described herein asbeing utilized in conjunction with the apparatus 100 and method of thepresent invention to perform any and/or all of the functionalitydescribed herein which is capable of being performed by the personalmonitoring device 10 and/or the apparatus 100 of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the database 10H can contain and/or caninclude any software, software programs, algorithms, or softwareapplications (“apps”) needed or desired for enabling and/or for allowingthe personal monitoring device 10 and/or the apparatus 100 and/or any ofthe computers or communication devices described herein as beingutilized in conjunction with the apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention to perform any and/or all of the functionality describedherein which is capable of being performed by the personal monitoringdevice 10 and/or the apparatus 100 of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the database(s) 10H can contain and/or caninclude any data and/or information regarding the user or theindividual, or any users or individuals, who or which utilize thepersonal monitoring device 10. Any data and/or information regarding theuser or individual who is using the personal monitoring device 10 to bemonitored, can include, but is not limited to, the user's or theindividual's name, address, home telephone number, e-mail address, IPaddress, test messaging number, text messaging address, cellulartelephone number, the telephone number assigned to the personalmonitoring device 10, date or birth, gender, height, weight,identification photograph, social security number or any other suitableidentification information, and/or any other data and/or informationregarding the user of the individual.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding the user's or the individual's personal monitoringdevice 10 which can include, but which is not limited to, the type ofdevice, such as for example, a cellular telephone, Smartphone,smartphone, personal digital assistant, or any other device describedherein which can be utilized as a personal monitoring device 10, themanufacturing and model number of personal communication device 10, aserial number of the personal monitoring device 10, any otheridentifying data and/or information assigned to, associated with, orrelating to, the personal monitoring device 10, the telephone numberassociated with, or assigned to, the personal communication device 10,the cellular telephone number associated with, or assigned to, thepersonal communication device 10, the wireless or mobile telephonenumber associated with, or assigned to, the personal communicationdevice 10, an IP address associated with, or assigned to, the personalmonitoring device 10, an email address associated with, or assigned tothe personal monitoring device 10, a text messaging number associatedwith, or assigned to, the personal monitoring device 10, and/or anyother data and/or information associated with the personal monitoringdevice 10. The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any ofthe above-described information for any other personal monitoring device10 or any number of personal monitoring devices 10 which is/are used bythe user or individual.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding a person who is monitoring the user or theindividual. In a preferred embodiment, the a person who is monitoringthe user or the individual can be, but is not limited to, the user's orindividual's parent or parents, spouse, sibling, relative, friend,nanny, au pair, caregiver, teacher, employer, or any other person orentity, who or which is monitoring the user or individual (hereafteralso referred to as “monitoring person”). For each monitoring personand, therefore, for each respective parent, spouse, sibling, relative,friend, nanny, au pair, caregiver, teacher, employer, or any otherperson or entity, who monitors the user of the individual or of or forthe user or individual, the database 10H can contain and/or can includeany data and/or information regarding the name, address, telephonenumber, cellular telephone number, user communication device telephonenumber or cellular telephone number, e-mail address, text messagingnumber, and/or any other data and/or information, and/or contactinformation, of, for, or regarding, the monitoring person. The database10H can also contain and/or can include any other data and/orinformation, described herein as being stored for or regarding the useror individual, for or regarding the monitoring person.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding places, locations, or venues, to which the user orindividual travels. The database 10H can also contain and/or can includeany data and/or information regarding the daily schedule or dailyschedules of or for the user or the individual, and/or any data and/orinformation regarding the daily routine or daily routines of or for theuser or individual, any places where the user or individual is or has tobe at a given time, and/or any other data and/or information regardingthe user's or the individual's daily routines, weekly routines, travelroutines, travel routes used, alternate travel routes used, travel timesand/or time of travel regarding any travel by the user or individual,and/or any other data and/or information regarding the user's or theindividual's routines that can be utilized in performing a personalmonitoring service for or regarding the user or the individual.

For example, in the case of a child being monitored, the database 10Hcan contain and/or can include any data and/or information regarding thedaily weekday schedule for the child such as, for example, the child'shome address, the time or approximate time when the child leaves homefor school, a preferred travel route the child takes to go to school,any alternate travel routes to the school, the time or the approximatetime the child arrives at school or the time school starts for thechild, the time or the approximate time the child leaves school or thetime school ends for the day, a travel route to an after schoolactivity, if applicable, a travel route to the after school activity, analternate travel route to the after school activity, a time or anapproximate time of a travel to an after school activity, a time or anapproximate time when the child leaves the venue of the after schoolactivity, a travel route from the venue of the after school activity tothe child's home, a travel route to the child's home, an alternatetravel route to the child's home, and/or a time or an approximate timewhen the child is expected to arrive at home.

As and for another example, in the case of an adult of any age beingmonitored, the database 10H can contain and/or can include any dataand/or information regarding the daily weekday schedule for the adultsuch as, for example, the adult's home address, the time or approximatetime when the adult leaves home for work or some other activity orvenue, a preferred travel route the adult takes to go to work or someother activity or venue, any alternate travel routes to the work,activity, or venue, the time or the approximate time the adult arrivesat work, the activity, or the venue, the time or the approximate timethe adult leaves work, the activity, or the venue, a travel route toanother activity or venue, if applicable, a travel route to the otheractivity or venue, an alternate travel route to the other or venue, atime or an approximate time of a travel to the other activity or venue,a time or an approximate time when the adult leaves the other activityor venue, a travel route from the other activity or venue back to theadult's home, a travel route to the adult's home, an alternate travelroute to the adult's home, and/or a time or an approximate time when theadult is expected to arrive at home.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding any school(s), workplace(s), club(s), activityvenue(s), recreational venue(s), entertainment venue(s), or any otherplace(s), location(s), and/or other venue(s), of the user or individualand/or to which the user or individual travels and/or at which the useror individual is known to spend time. The database 10H can also containand/or can include any data and/or information regarding the location(s)of any school(s), workplace(s), club(s), activity venue(s), recreationalvenue(s), entertainment venue(s), or any other place(s), location(s),and/or other venue(s), of the user or individual, which data and/orinformation can include the name, the address, the telephone number, thewebsite address, the IP address, a description of same, scheduleinformation of or for same, and/or any other information regarding same.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding any weekday or weekend day schedules oritineraries of the user or individual. The database 10H can also containand/or can include any data and/or information regarding emergencycontacts for the user or the individual, including, for each emergencycontact individual, his or her name, telephone number, cellulartelephone number, text messaging number, e-mail address, or IP address,or any other information.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding any personal monitoring accounts the user orindividual has or is associated with. The database 10H can also containand/or can include any data and/or information regarding any personsresponsible for monitoring the user or the individual including for eachperson, his or her name, telephone number, cellular telephone number,text messaging number, e-mail address, or IP address, or any otherinformation. The database 10H can also contain and/or can include anydata and/or information regarding any and/or all personal monitoringdevices 10 assigned to or associated with the user or individual and/orcan contain and/or can include data and/or information regarding withany the user's or individual's personal monitoring accounts.

The database 10H can also contains and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding any of the central processing computer(s) 20, anypertinent user communication device(s) 30, any law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, any emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, and/or the healthcare records computer(s)60, described herein, and/or can contain and/or can include any link(s)or hyperlink(s) to same.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include an electronichealthcare record of the user or the individual and/or any data and/orinformation regarding same or contained in same, any data and/orinformation which may be contained in the electronic healthcare recordof the user or the individual, any personal healthcare record of theuser or individual, any data and/or information which may be containedin the personal healthcare record of the user or the individual, anyhealthcare information regarding the user or the individual, anyinformation regarding any healthcare condition or special needs of theuser or the individual, any information regarding any medicines,prescribed medications, drugs, or prescribed drugs, which are needed bythe user or the individual, any information regarding any allergies ofthe user or the individual, or any other information regarding anyhealthcare conditions, needs, or treatments, of, for, or regarding, theuser or the individual. The database 10H can also contain and/or caninclude a link or hyperlink to the healthcare records computer 60 and/orto the user's or the individual's electronic healthcare record storedtherein.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding the daily schedule for each weekday or eachweekend day for the user or the individual, travel routes travelled foreach day and trip, and/or time(s) associated with each trip or travelsegment of each trip.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding the name, address, telephone number(s), cellulartelephone number(s), mobile or wireless telephone number(s), e-mailaddress(es), text messaging address(es), IP address(es), or any othercontact information for or regarding any herein-described monitoringperson of or for the user or the individual or for each or any parent,sibling, family member, relative, caregiver, nanny, au pair, healthcareprovider(s), healthcare insurer(s) or healthcare payer(s), or any otherperson or entity of or for the user or the individual.

It is important to note, as used throughout the application, the term orphrase “text messaging number” includes any and all kinds of messagingnumbers, including, but not limited to, a text messaging number, an SMSmessaging number, and MMS messaging number, or any other number,address, or identifier, used or needed in order to send a text messageor any other message to any user, individual, person, or entity who orwhich uses the apparatus 100 of the present invention.

The database 10H can also contain and/or include any software, softwareprogram(s), algorithm(s), or software applications (“apps”), such asthose known by those skilled in the art at the time of the filing ofthis application, which can allow the personal monitoring device 10 toascertain, determine, locate, and/or display, a location or position ofany user communication device 30 associated with any user or individual,including, but not limited to, any user or individual who is to bemonitoring the user or individual who is using or who is associated withthe personal monitoring device 10, or any other authorized or designateduser or individual who might be able to provide assistance to the useror individual who is using or who is associated with the personalmonitoring device 10.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include navigation softwarefor allowing the personal monitoring device 10 to calculate travelroutes from one place or point to another, to detect departures from atravel route and to re-calculate another travel route, and/or forallowing the personal monitoring device 10 to calculate and/or to storetravel routes and/or any data and/or information regarding same whichare used by the user or individual as well as alternate travel routesfor same. The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any dataand/or information regarding any allowed travel routes for the user orindividual as well as disallowed travel routes for the user ofindividual. The database 10H can also contain and/or include map dataand/or map information including, but not limited to, digitized map dataand/or information and/or data and/or information for updating any mapdata and/or information.

The database 10H can also contain and/or include data and/or informationregarding travel records for the user or individual which can containand/or include data and/or information regarding a date and time oftravel and/or travel routes taken or travelled by, and/or any other dataand/or information regarding, the user or individual for or during anyperiod of time or during and/or for or relating to any schedule orroutine.

The database 10H can also contain and/or include a pre-recorded audiomessage(s) and/or a pre-recorded audio and video message(s), which canbe recorded by any person authorized to monitor the user or individualand which can provided via the personal monitoring device 10 at any timeand/or for any reason. For example, an audio and/or an audio and videorecording can be played via the personal monitoring device 10 in orderto assist, calm, or comfort, a lost child, to help re-orient a child, togive or provide the child or any one with whom the child comes intocontact with, instructions, contact information, emergency contactinformation, directions, or any other information, and/or can be playedto calm, comfort, or assist, a lost, disoriented, or ill, adult or childof any age, or to give or provide the child or any one with whom thechild comes into contact with, instructions, contact information,emergency contact information, directions, or any other information.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data,information, software, software programs, algorithms, and/or softwareapplications (or “apps”) which are needed or desired for allowing thepersonal monitoring device 10 to perform any and/or all of the functionsand/or functionality described herein as being capable of beingperformed by same and/or by the apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any of the dataand/or information described herein as being stored in any of thedatabases of the central processing computer(s) 20, the usercommunication device(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s)40, the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, thehealthcare records computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/orthe venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, described herein.

The personal monitoring device 10 also includes an output device(s) 101for outputting any of the data, information, and/or reports, describedherein as being generated by or via the personal monitoring device 10.In the preferred embodiment, the output device(s) 101 can be a displayscreen, a speaker, a printer, a display of any type or kind, anindicator light, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other device whichcan be used to output data or information of any kind or type. In thepreferred embodiment, the output device(s) 101 can also include a beaconor a homing beacon which can transmit or provide a signal, a distresssignal, or any other indication, from the personal monitoring device 10which can be utilized determine the position, location, and/or movement,of the personal monitoring device 10. In the preferred embodiment, theoutput device(s) 101 is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU10A.

The personal monitoring device 10 also includes a video and/or audiorecording device(s) 10J which can include a camera and/or a videorecording device for recording pictures or video and/or video clipsand/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recording audio oraudio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by orfrom the personal monitoring device 10, or which can be recorded by, andstored at or in, the personal monitoring device 10 for transmission byor from the personal monitoring device 10 at a later time. The videoand/or audio recording device(s) 10J can be utilized to facilitate videoconferencing, video chatting, and/or audio conferencing, and/or videoand audio conferencing, between users of the personal monitoring device10 and any user of any other computer or communication device 10, 20,30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, described herein. In the preferredembodiment, the video and/or audio recording device(s) 10J is/are alsoconnected to, or linked with, the CPU 10A.

With reference to FIG. 2, the personal monitoring device 10 can alsoinclude a global positioning system (GPS) device 10K which can beutilized to determine or ascertain the location or position of thepersonal monitoring device 10 at any time and/or to track movement ofthe personal monitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the globalpositioning system (GPS) device 10K can be connected to, or linked with,the CPU 10A.

The personal monitoring device 10 also includes device functionalequipment systems or devices 10L, which can include any the necessarycommunications systems or devices which are typically found in cellulartelephones or wireless telephones and/or which can allow the personalmonitoring device 10 to function as a cellular telephone or a wirelesstelephone. In a preferred embodiment, the functional equipment systemsor devices 10L can also include a global positioning system (GPS) devicewhich can be utilized to determine or ascertain the location or positionof the personal monitoring device 10 at any time and which can be alsobe used to track movement of the personal monitoring device 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the functional equipment systems or devices10L can also include navigation equipment or devices which are typicallyfound in navigation devices or equipment and which can be utilized toallow the personal monitoring device 10 to function and/or to operate asa GPS equipped navigation device. In a preferred embodiment, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can function as a stand alone navigationdevice, meaning that it can perform any and/or all needed and desirednavigation tasks and functions without any interaction with an externalcomputer or device, and/or without having to access a computer over anycommunication network in order to obtain navigation data, information,and/or instructions, for providing navigation data, information, and/orinstructions, to a user of the personal monitoring device 10.

In another preferred embodiment, the functional equipment systems ordevices 10L can also include a “kill” switch or associated hardwareand/or software for disabling and/or deactivating the personalmonitoring device 10 in instances when same might be lost or stolen, soas to prevent its use by another person and/or to prevent any access toany data and/or information stored therein, thereby rendering thepersonal monitoring device 10 useless to another person after beingreported, or discovered as being, lost or stolen.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 canalso operate in conjunction with an external computer or device in orderto obtain navigation data, information, and/or instructions, so as toprovide same to a user of the personal monitoring device 10. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can processnavigation data, information, and/or instructions, on its own as well asreceive at least some navigation data, information, and/or instructions,from an external computer or device, in order to provide navigationdata, information, and/or instructions, to a user of the personalmonitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the functionalequipment systems or devices 10L are also connected to, or linked with,the CPU 10A.

In a preferred embodiment, the functional equipment systems or devices10L can also include any combination of hardware and/or software fordisabling the on/off switch of the personal monitoring device 10, sothat the personal monitoring device 10 cannot be shut-off, or so that nooperation or function of the personal monitoring device 10 can beterminated, and/or so that a telephone call, a telephone communicationlink, or a communication line or link, cannot be turned off orterminated, by or at the personal communication device 10. In thisregard, in the case of an emergency, no telephone call and/orcommunication line or link between the personal monitoring device 10 andany user communication device(s) 30, the or any central processingcomputer(s) 20, the or any law enforcement communication device (s) 40,the or any emergency services provider communication device(s) 50,and/or the or any healthcare records computer(s) 60, can be terminatedat or by the personal monitoring device 10, so that a communicationline, link, or channel can always be maintained with the personalmonitoring device 10.

In this regard, for example, if a child is lost, a telephone call and/orcommunication line, link, or channel, with and between the child and hisor her parent can be maintained without the risk of the call beingterminated at or by the personal monitoring device 10. In this regard,the parent can continue to speak with and communication with the child,can obtain position or location information from or via the personalmonitoring device 10, can track the personal monitoring device 10,and/or can obtain any other information from and/or via the personalmonitoring device 10, without losing contact with the child and/or hisor her personal monitoring device 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the functional equipment systems or devices10L can also include any combination of hardware and/or software forallowing the personal monitoring device 10 and any components or devicestherein or associated therewith to be remotely accessed, controlled,and/or monitored, by or using any authorized user communication device30 used by an authorized user or individual, the or any centralprocessing computer(s) 20, the or any law enforcement communicationdevice (s) 40, the or any emergency services provider communicationdevice(s) 50, and/or the or any healthcare records computer(s) 60.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can alsoinclude an RFID tag 70 (shown in FIG. 3) which can be attached to,connected to, located on, or located within or inside a housing of, thepersonal monitoring device 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates the personal monitoring device 10 of FIG. 1 in athree-dimensional perspective view. In a preferred embodiment, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can be, or can be implemented in or with,a cellular telephone, a Smartphone, a smartphone, or a personal digitalassistant, which can be equipped with all of the necessary hardware andsoftware needed to perform all of the functions and functionalitydescribed herein as being performed by the personal monitoring device 10of the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can be designed to be of any size or shape, and/orthe personal monitoring device 10 can be implemented using a watch, awristwatch, an necklace, a bracelet, a ring, or any other article ofjewelry, of the personal monitoring device 10 can be secured to a belt,a necklace, a bracelet, eyeglasses, a watch, a wristwatch, and/or can beattached to, secured to, or placed inside or within, any article ofclothing, a jacket, a coat, a shirt, a blouse, a dress, a skirt, a pairof pants, shoes, sneakers, boots, a hat, gloves, socks, stockings, atie, a scarf, or any other wearable item or accessory. In this regard,and depending of the use, application, or deployment, of the personalmonitoring device 10 in any given setting or situation, the personalmonitoring device 10 can be designed and/or configures to be of anysize, shape, type, or kind, of device.

With reference to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can include a housing 11, a display screen 12 whichcan be a component of the display device 10E. In the preferredembodiment, the display screen 12 can of the touch screen type or kindand can be utilized to view and to input data, information, messages, orinstructions. In a preferred embodiment, the display screen 12 caninclude a display section 13 and a keyboard section 14. In a preferredembodiment, the keyboard section 14 can be called upon when needed andcan also be dispensed with when not being used so as to facilitate theuse of the entirety of the display screen 12 when desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beequipped with a flashlight, a flashlight bulb, or with any suitablesoftware application which can turn the display screen 12, or anyportion of the display screen 12, into a flashlight. In this regard, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can be equipped with a flashlight or aflashlight functionality.

With reference once again to FIG. 3, the personal monitoring device 10can also include one or more microphones 15, which can be a component ofthe video and/or audio recording device(s) 10J and/or the input device10D and, which can be located on one or more, or on any or all surfacesof the personal monitoring device 10 in order to allow for any user orother individual to utilize the personal monitoring device 10 tocommunicate with others, to allow others to monitor audio and/or soundsat or in the vicinity of the personal monitoring device 10, and/or toallow one to use, control an operation of, to enter voice commands into,and/or to record audio information or an audio clip with and/or using,the personal monitoring device 10, and/or to allow one to simply utilizethe personal monitoring device 10 to communicate with another individualor entity in a hand-free mode of operation. Any number of microphones 15can be utilized in connection with the personal monitoring device 10.

With reference once again to FIG. 3, the personal monitoring device 10can also include one or more speakers 16, which can be a component ofthe output device 101 and, which can be located on one or more, or onany or all, surfaces of the personal monitoring device 10 in order toprovide audible data, information, instructions, or communications, toany user, or individual who may be using, or who may be in the vicinityof, the personal monitoring device 10.

With reference once again to FIG. 3, the personal monitoring device 10can also include one or more cameras 17, which can be a component of thevideo and/or audio recording device(s) 10J and/or the input device 101and, which can be located on one or more, or on any or all, surfaces ofthe personal monitoring device 10 in order to take or record a picture,a photograph, or an image, and/or to record video information or a videoclip, with the personal monitoring device 10, to record a picture, aphotograph, or an image, and/or to record video information or a videoclip, of a user of the personal monitoring device 10 or any individualusing the personal monitoring device 10 or in the vicinity of thepersonal monitoring device 10, to record a picture, a photograph, or animage, and/or to record video information or a video clip, of a vicinityin which the personal monitoring device 10 is located or of asurrounding of same, and/or to allow a user or any individual to engagein a video conference or video chat with another individual or otherindividuals using the personal monitoring device 10.

In a preferred embodiment, any one or more cameras 17 can be a wideangle lens camera or a camera having a wide angle lens for obtainingmaximum viewing area. In a preferred embodiment, any one or more cameras17 can also be a night vision camera, an infrared camera, or a cameraequipped with, or utilized in connection with, night vision capability.

With reference once again to FIG. 3, the personal monitoring device 10can include a plurality of indicator lights 18, one of which can be usedto provide an indication that the user of the personal monitoring device10 is located with a “safe” zone of travel and the other which can beused to provide an indication that the user of the personal monitoringdevice 10 is located outside of a “safe” zone of travel, is lost, isill, is possibly the victim of foul play, or is otherwise in need ofhelp or assistance. In a preferred embodiment, the indicator light whichis used to indicate the that user in within his or her “safe” zone canbe an green light when illuminated, and the indicator light which isused to indicate the that the user outside his or her “safe” zone oftravel, is lost, is ill, is possibly the victim of foul play, or isotherwise in need of help or assistance, can be a red light whenilluminated. In another preferred embodiment, the indicator lights 19can be provided via the display screen or in or via a portion or sectionof the display screen 12.

With reference once again to FIG. 3, the personal monitoring device 10can include an RFID tag 70 as shown. In a preferred embodiment, the RFIDtag 70 can be attached to, connected to, or located at, any part, side,or portion, of the housing 11. In another preferred embodiment, the RFIDtag 70 can be located within, or inside, the housing 11 of, the personalmonitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, for a passive RFID tag70, the RFID tag 70 need not be connected electrically to any componentof the personal monitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, for anactive RFID tag 70, the RFID tag 70 can be electrically connected to thepower source (not shown) of the personal monitoring device 10 and/or tothe CPU 10A and/or any other component of the personal monitoring device10.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 caninclude any suitable attachment device or element (not shown) which isattached or connected to, or linked with, the housing 11 and/or thepersonal monitoring device 10 and which can be used to secure, to mount,or to otherwise attach, the personal monitoring device 10 to, on, or in,a belt, an article of clothing, a watch, a wristwatch, a necklace, abracelet, eyeglasses, an accessory of any type or kind, a jacket, acoat, a shirt, a blouse, a dress, a skirt, a pair of pants, shoes,sneakers, boots, a hat, gloves, socks, stockings, a tie, a scarf, or anyother wearable item or accessory.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10, itshousing 11, and its various component parts described herein, can beconstructed or rugged materials in order to protect the personalmonitoring device 10 against impacts. In a preferred embodiment, thepersonal monitoring device 10, its housing 11, and its various componentparts described herein, can also be sealed, in any appropriate manner,so as to provide for a personal monitoring device 10 which can bewaterproof. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10can also be designed and manufactured to as to include any suitable orbuoyant material(s) which can allow the personal monitoring device 10 tofloat on water. In a preferred embodiment, the housing 11, or anyportion or component of same, can also include made with or from, or cancontain a phosphorescent material so that the housing 11, or any portionof the housing 11, of the personal monitoring device 10 can glow-in-thedark or otherwise exhibit glow-in-the-dark or luminescent properties.

FIG. 4 illustrates the central processing computer 20 of FIG. 1, inblock diagram form. In the preferred embodiment, the central processingcomputer 20 can be any computer capable of performing the functionalityof the central processing computer 20 as described herein, a servercomputer, a computer system, a group of computers, or any computercapable of being utilized in a network or capable of being utilized withother computers in a network, which can provide the functionality of,and which can be utilized as, a central processing computer 20. Thecentral processing computer 20 can also be any suitable server computeror server computer system, a cloud computer or cloud computer system, orany computer or computer system capable of being utilized in a networkor capable of being utilized with other computers or computer systems ina network. The central processing computer 20 can also be an Internetserver computer and/or a web site server computer. In the preferredembodiment, the central processing computer 20 includes a centralprocessing unit or CPU 20A, which in the preferred embodiment, is amicroprocessor. The CPU 20A can also be a microcomputer, a minicomputer,a macro-computer, and/or a mainframe computer, depending upon theapplication.

The central processing computer 20 also includes a random access memorydevice(s) 20B (RAM), a read only memory device(s) 20C (ROM), each ofwhich is connected to, or linked with, the CPU 20A, and a user inputdevice 20D, for inputting and/or entering data and/or information and/orinstructions and/or commands into the central processing computer 20,which can include any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a userpointing device, such as, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or anaudio input device and/or a video input device, a microphone or audiorecording device, a camera or a video recording device, and/or anydevice, electronic and/or otherwise which can be utilized for inputtingand/or entering data and/or information, as well as instructions and/orcommands, into the central processing computer 20. The centralprocessing computer 20 also includes a display device 20E for displayingdata and/or information to a user or operator. In the preferredembodiment, the display device 20E is also connected to, or linked with,the CPU 20A.

The central processing computer 20 also includes a transmitter(s) 20F,for transmitting signals and/or data and/or information to any one ormore of the personal monitoring device(s) 10, the user communicationdevice(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device(s) 40, theemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcarerecords computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, the venue/vehiclecomputer(s) 90, and/or any other central processing computer(s) 20,which can be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. In thepreferred embodiment, the transmitter(s) 20F is/are also connected to,or linked with, the CPU 20A. The central processing computer 20 alsoincludes a receiver(s) 20G, for receiving signals and/or data and/orinformation from any one or more of the personal monitoring device(s)10, the user communication device(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or anyother central processing computer(s) 20, which may be utilized inconjunction with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, thereceiver(s) 20G is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU 20A.

The central processing computer 20 also includes a database(s) 20Hwhich, in the preferred embodiment, contains and/or includes any and/orall of the data and/or information needed or desired for or by thecentral processing computer 20 to perform all of the operations,actions, functions, and/or functionality, described herein as beingprovided by, and/or as being performed by, the central processingcomputer 20 and/or the apparatus 100 of the present invention. In thepreferred embodiment, the database(s) 20H is/are also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 20A.

In a preferred embodiment, the database(s) 20H can contain and/orinclude any and/or all of any needed or desired data and informationregarding each of the users or individuals being monitored, or are to bemonitored, by, with, or using, the apparatus 100, including, but notlimited to, any of the data and/or information described herein as beingstored in the database 10H of any personal monitoring device 10associated with or used by the respective user or individual.

In a preferred embodiment, the database(s) 20H can also contain and/orinclude any and/or all of any needed or desired data and informationregarding each of the users or individuals who utilize the apparatus 100of the present invention to monitor any other user or individual,including, but not limited to, any of the data and/or informationdescribed herein as being stored in the database 30H of any usercommunication device 30 associated with or used by the respective useror individual desiring to monitor any other user or individual.

In a preferred embodiment, for each user or individual who or which usesthe apparatus 100 and method of the present invention to monitor anotheruser or individual, the database 20H can contain and/or include, but notbe limited to, any data and/or information regarding the user's or theindividual's name, address, telephone number (s), cellular telephonenumber(s), mobile or wireless telephone number(s), e-mail address ore-mail addresses, and/or text message, instant message, SMS message, orMMS message, IP address(es), or any other messaging, telephone number,or other, address or identifier, as well as any data and/or informationregarding the user's or the individual's user communication device 30,including, but not limited to, the manufacturer, model number, and/orserial number of same, as well as any telephone number, e-mail address,instant message number or address, SMS message number or address, MMSmessage number or address, IP address, or any other contact informationof, for, or associated with the user communication device 30, for eachuser communication device 30 used by or associated with the user orindividual. The database 20H can also contain and/or include any dataand/or information regarding any other user(s) or individual(s) beingmonitored, or to be monitored, by the user or individual.

In a preferred embodiment, for each user or individual who or which isbeing monitored, or is to be monitored, by, with, or using, theapparatus 100 and method of the present invention, the database 20H cancontain and/or include, but not be limited to, any data and/orinformation regarding the user's or the individual's name, address,telephone number (s), cellular telephone number(s), mobile or wirelesstelephone number(s), e-mail address or e-mail addresses, and/or textmessage, instant message, SMS message, or MMS message, IP address(es),or any other messaging, telephone number, or other, address oridentifier, as well as any data and/or information regarding the user'sor the individual's personal monitoring device 10, including, but notlimited to, the manufacturer, model number, and/or serial number ofsame, as well as any telephone number, e-mail address, instant messagenumber or address, SMS message number or address, MMS message number oraddress, IP address, or any other contact information of, for, orassociated with the personal monitoring device 10, for each personalmonitoring device 10 used by or associated with the user or individual.

For each user or individual who or which utilizes the apparatus 100 andmethod of the present invention to monitor another user or individual,the database 20H, in a preferred embodiment, can contain and/or includeany data and/or information regarding the user(s) or individual(s) beingmonitored or to be monitored.

For each user or individual being monitored by, or to be monitored by,another user or individual, the database 20H, in a preferred embodiment,can contain and/or include any data and/or information regarding theuser(s) or individual(s) who is to monitor that user or individual.

In a preferred embodiment, the database 20H can contain and/or includeany data and/or information regarding any personal monitoring account(s)associated with any user(s) or individual(s) who are being monitored, orto be monitored, by, with, or using, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention including, but not limited to any number or identifier for therespective personal monitoring account, account number, any user(s) orindividual(s) being monitored, or to be monitored, under the personalmonitoring account, and/or any user(s) or individual(s) authorized touse the personal monitoring account to monitor another user(s) orindividual.

In a preferred embodiment, the database 20H can contain and/or include,for each user or individual being monitored, or to be monitored, by,with, or using, the apparatus 100 and method of the present invention,data and/or information regarding places, locations, or venues, to whichthe user or individual travels, along with any data and/or informationregarding the daily schedule or daily schedules of or for the user orthe individual, and/or any data and/or information regarding the dailyroutine or daily routines of or for the user or individual, any placeswhere the user or individual is or has to be at a given time, and/or anyother data and/or information regarding the user's or the individual'sdaily routines, weekly routines, travel routines, travel routes used,alternate travel routes used, travel times and/or time of travelregarding any travel by the user or individual, and/or any other dataand/or information regarding the user's or the individual's routinesthat can be utilized in performing a personal monitoring service for orregarding the user or the individual.

For example, in the case of a child being monitored, the database 20Hcan contain and/or can include any data and/or information regarding thedaily weekday schedule for the child such as, for example, the child'shome address, the time or approximate time when the child leaves homefor school, a preferred travel route the child takes to go to school,any alternate travel routes to the school, the time or the approximatetime the child arrives at school or the time school starts for thechild, the time or the approximate time the child leaves school or thetime school ends for the day, a travel route to an after schoolactivity, if applicable, a travel route to the after school activity, analternate travel route to the after school activity, a time or anapproximate time of a travel to an after school activity, a time or anapproximate time when the child leaves the venue of the after schoolactivity, a travel route from the venue of the after school activity tothe child's home, a travel route to the child's home, an alternatetravel route to the child's home, and/or a time or an approximate timewhen the child is expected to arrive at home.

As and for another example, in the case of an adult of any age beingmonitored, the database 20H can contain and/or can include any dataand/or information regarding the daily weekday schedule for the adultsuch as, for example, the adult's home address, the time or approximatetime when the adult leaves home for work or some other activity orvenue, a preferred travel route the adult takes to go to work or someother activity or venue, any alternate travel routes to the work,activity, or venue, the time or the approximate time the adult arrivesat work, the activity, or the venue, the time or the approximate timethe adult leaves work, the activity, or the venue, a travel route toanother activity or venue, if applicable, a travel route to the otheractivity or venue, an alternate travel route to the other or venue, atime or an approximate time of a travel to the other activity or venue,a time or an approximate time when the adult leaves the other activityor venue, a travel route from the other activity or venue back to theadult's home, a travel route to the adult's home, an alternate travelroute to the adult's home, and/or a time or an approximate time when theadult is expected to arrive at home.

For each user or individual being monitored, or to be monitored, by,with, or using, the apparatus 100 of the present invention, the database20H can also contain and/or can include any data and/or informationregarding any school(s), workplace(s), club(s), activity venue(s),recreational venue(s), entertainment venue(s), or any other place(s),location(s), and/or other venue(s), of the user or individual and/or towhich the user or individual travels and/or at which the user orindividual is known to spend time. The database 20H can also containand/or can include any data and/or information regarding the location(s)of any school(s), workplace(s), club(s), activity venue(s), recreationalvenue(s), entertainment venue(s), or any other place(s), location(s),and/or other venue(s), of the user or individual, which data and/orinformation can include the name, the address, the telephone number, thewebsite address, the IP address, a description of same, scheduleinformation of or for same, and/or any other information regarding same.

The database 20H can also contain and/or can include, for each user orindividual monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, or using, theapparatus 100 of the present invention, any data and/or informationregarding any weekday or weekend day schedules or itineraries of theuser or individual. The database 20H can also contain and/or can includeany data and/or information regarding emergency contacts for the user orthe individual, including, for each emergency contact individual, his orher name, telephone number, cellular telephone number, text messagingnumber, e-mail address, or IP address, or any other information.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation regarding schedules, travel schedules, allowed travelroutes, disallowed travel route, allowed places, locations, or venues,disallowed places, locations, or venues, and/or limitations orrestrictions regarding any of same, for each user or individualmonitored, or to be monitored, by, with, or using, the apparatus 100 ofthe present invention. The database 20H can also contain and/or include,for each user or individual monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, orusing, the apparatus 100 of the present invention, data and/orinformation regarding past travels, movements, or activities, including,but not limited to, travel routes and dates and/or times of same, aswell as future travel plans, movements, or activities, for each suchuser or individual.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include, for each user orindividual who is being monitored, or who is to b monitored by, with, orusing, the apparatus 100 of the present invention, a pre-recorded aaudio message(s) and/or a pre-recorded audio and video message(s), whichcan be recorded by any person authorized to monitor the user orindividual and which can downloaded to the personal monitoring device 10at any time and/or for any reason. For example, an audio and/or an audioand video recording can be played at the personal monitoring device 10in order to assist, calm, or comfort, a lost child, to help re-orient achild, to give or provide the child or any one with whom the child comesinto contact with, instructions, contact information, emergency contactinformation, directions, or any other information, and/or can be playedat or via the personal monitoring device 10 in order to calm, comfort,or assist, a lost, disoriented, or ill, adult or child of any age, or togive or provide the child or any one with whom the child comes intocontact with, instructions, contact information, emergency contactinformation, directions, or any other information.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation for calculating, tracking, and/or monitoring, travel routesand travel activities for monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, orusing, the apparatus 100 of the present invention. The database 20H canalso contain and/or include any stored video and/or audio which isrecorded by any personal monitoring device 10, as well as any trackinginformation regarding the personal monitoring device 10 for any personalmonitoring device 10 utilized in connection with the apparatus 100 andmethod of the present invention.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation, as well as any software, software programs, algorithms,and/or software application, for enabling the central processingcomputer 20, any user communication device 30 associated with anauthorized user or individual, any authorized law enforcement personnel,or any authorized emergency services personnel, to access, to monitor orto monitor an operation of, or to control or to control an operation of,a personal monitoring device 10 user by or associated with a user orindividual monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, or using, theapparatus 100 of the present invention. In this regard, an authorizeduser, individual, or personnel can access, monitor, or control, arespective personal monitoring device 10 via the central processingcomputer 20.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include, for each user orindividual monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, or using, theapparatus 100 of the present invention, and for each user or individualwho is monitoring, or who is to be monitoring, any other user orindividual, an electronic healthcare record, an electronic medicalrecord, an electronic dental record, a healthcare record, and/or apersonal healthcare record, for the respective user or individual, whichcan include any data and/or information typically found in anyelectronic healthcare records, electronic medical records, electronicdental records, healthcare records, and/or personal healthcare records.The database 20H can also include for each user or individual,information regarding any healthcare conditions of the user orindividual, any medicines, medications, or drugs, the user or individualis taking or required to take, any allergies the user or individual mayhave, and/or any other information which may be needed or useful for theuser's or the individual's well being.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include any and/or all dataand/or information regarding any and/or all personal monitoring devices10, any other central processing computer(s) 20, any and/or all usercommunication devices 30, any and/or all law enforcement communicationdevice (s) 40, any and/or emergency services provider communicationdevice(s) 50, and/or any and/or all healthcare records computer(s) 60,utilized in connection with the apparatus 100 of the present invention,as well any data and/or information stored therein, and/or any link(s)or hyperlink(s) to same or to any data and/or information stored insame.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include any and/or all of thedata and/or information described herein as being stored in any of theherein-described databases 10H for any and/or all of the personalmonitoring devices 10 utilized with the apparatus 100 and/or can alsocontain and/or can include any of the data and/or information describedherein as being stored in any of the databases of the user communicationdevice(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, theemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcarerecords computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/or thevenue/vehicle computer(s) 90, described herein.

It is to also be understood that the database 20H, in a preferredembodiment, can also contain and/or include any data and/or information,and/or any software, software programs, algorithms, and/or softapplications, needed or desired, whether described herein or not, forallowing the central processing computer 20, the apparatus 100, and/orany of the herein-described personal monitoring devices 10, usercommunication devices 30, law enforcement communication device (s) 40,emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, and/or anyand/or all healthcare records computer(s) 60, to perform the functionsdescribed herein as being performed and/or provided by the apparatus 100and method of the present invention and/or by the central processingcomputer 20, any personal monitoring device 10, any user communicationdevice 30, any law enforcement communication device 40, any emergencyservices provider communication device 50, and/or any healthcare recordscomputer 60.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include any software, softwareprogram(s), algorithm(s), or software applications (“apps”), such asthose known by those skilled in the art at the time of the filing ofthis application, which can be downloaded at any time to any personalmonitoring device 10, and which can allow the personal monitoring device10 to ascertain, determine, locate, and/or display, a location orposition of any user communication device 30 associated with any user orindividual, including, but not limited to, any user or individual who isto be monitoring the user or individual who is using or who isassociated with the personal monitoring device 10, or any otherauthorized or designated user or individual who might be able to provideassistance to the user or individual who is using or who is associatedwith the personal monitoring device 10.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include information regardingeach of the herein-described RFID reader systems 80 utilized inconnection with the apparatus 100 of the present invention, therespective venue or vehicle in which the RFID system(s) 80 is/aredeployed, assigned, or utilized, and/or any RFID readers which areutilized in or in connection with the respective RFID reader system(s)80. The database 20H can also include the name, address, phone number,position or location information, latitude information or latitude,longitude information or longitude, and/or any other needed or desiredinformation, for or regarding each venue and for or regarding eachvehicle in which an RFID reader system 80 is deployed, assigned, orutilized.

In a preferred embodiment, for each venue RFID reader system 80 which isutilized, the database 20H can contain data and/or information which caninclude, but which is not limited to, a model name of same, anidentification number for same, a manufacturer of same, a model numberof same, and the type of RFID reader(s) utilized in the same. For eachRFID reader system 80 utilized, the database 20H can also includeinformation regarding, for each RFID reader utilized in or with thesame, the model name of same, an identification number for same, amanufacturer of same, a model number of same, and/or informationregarding the type(s), model(s), and/or model number(s), of the RFIDtag(s) which can be read by the respective RFID reader, and/orinformation regarding whether the RFID reader(s) reads passive RFID tagsor active RFID tags.

The database 20H can also contain or include, for each venue or vehicle,the RFID reader system(s) 80 deployed in, assigned to, or utilized in,the same, and information regarding the RFID reader(s) used in same. Ina preferred embodiment, for each RFID reader utilized in or at a venueor vehicle, the database 20H can contain information regarding andidentification of the entrance point(s) to the venue or the vehicle atwhich RFID reader(s) is/are stationed, along with informationidentifying the or each RFID reader, and the exit point(s) of the venueor the vehicle at which the RFID reader(s) is/are stationed, along withinformation identifying the or each RFID reader.

The database 20H can also contain and/or include any software, softwareprogram(s), algorithm(s), or software applications (“apps”), such asthose known by those skilled in the art at the time of the filing ofthis application, which can be downloaded at any time to any usercommunication device 30, and which can allow the user communicationdevice 30 to ascertain, determine, locate, and/or display, a location orposition of any personal monitoring device 10 used by or associated withany user or individual who is being monitoring by the user or individualwho is using or who is associated with the user communication device 30.

In a preferred embodiment, the database(s) 20H can also contain and/orinclude any software programs, software algorithms, and/or softwareapplications (“apps”) deemed to be necessary, desirable, and/or useful,in utilizing the apparatus 100 and method of the present invention inthe various embodiments described herein. In a preferred embodiment, thedatabase(s) 20H can also contain and/or include any other data and/orinformation deemed to be necessary, desirable, and/or useful, inutilizing the apparatus 100 and method of the present invention in thevarious embodiments described herein. The database(s) 20H can alsocontain and/or include any other data and/or information which is or maybe needed and/or desired in performing any and/or all of the featuresand/or functionality described herein as being provided by the apparatus100 of the present invention and/or the central processing computer 20.

The database(s) 20H can also contain and/or include any other dataand/or information which is or may be needed and/or desired inperforming any and/or all of the features and/or functionality describedherein as being generated by, and/or provided by, the apparatus 100 ofthe present invention and/or described herein as being generated by,and/or provided by, the central processing computer 20 and/or any of thecommunication devices or computers 10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90.The database(s) 20H can also contain and/or include any of the dataand/or information described herein as being stored in any of thedatabases 10H of the personal monitoring devices 10 utilized inconnection with the apparatus 100 and any data and/or informationdescribed herein as being stored in any of the databases of the usercommunication device(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s)40, the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, thehealthcare records computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/orthe venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, described herein.

The central processing computer 20 also includes an output device(s) 201for outputting any of the data, information, messages and/or reports,described herein as being generated by or via the central processingcomputer 20. In the preferred embodiment, the output device(s) 201 canbe a printer, a display, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other devicewhich can be used to output data or information of any kind or type. Inthe preferred embodiment, the output device(s) 201 is/are also connectedto, or linked with, the CPU 20A.

The central processing computer 20 also includes a video and/or audiorecording device(s) 20J which can include a camera and/or a videorecording device for recording pictures or video and/or video clipsand/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recording audio oraudio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by orfrom the central processing computer 20, or which can be recorded by,and stored at or in, the central processing computer 20 for transmissionby or from the central processing computer 20 at a later time. The videoand/or audio recording device(s) 20J can also be utilized to facilitateone-way broadcasts from the central processing computer 20, and/or canbe utilized to facilitate video conferencing, video chatting, and/oraudio conferencing, and/or video and audio conferencing, between usersof the central processing computer 20 and any of the herein-describedusers, individuals, providers, or entities, who or which utilize theapparatus 100 and method of the present invention. In the preferredembodiment, the video and/or audio recording device(s) 20J is/are alsoconnected to, or linked with, the CPU 20A.

FIG. 5 illustrates the user communication device 30 of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form. The user communication device 30, in the preferredembodiment, can be a personal computer, a home computer, a laptopcomputer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a tablet, a hand-heldcomputer, a palmtop computer, a personal communication device, acellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, aSmartphone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a digitaltelevision, an interactive television, a digital television, atelephone, a digital telephone, a television, an interactive television,a beeper, a pager, and/or a watch or a Smart watch, and/or any wearabledevice, computer or communication device. The user communication device30 can also be a server computer, or any computer capable of beingutilized in a network or capable of being utilized with other computersin a network.

With reference to FIG. 5, in the preferred embodiment, the usercommunication device 30 includes a central processing unit or CPU 30A,which in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 30A canalso be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application.

The user communication device 30 also includes a random access memorydevice(s) 30B (RAM), a read only memory device(s) 30C (ROM), each ofwhich is connected to, or linked with, the CPU 30A, and a user inputdevice 30D, for inputting and/or entering data and/or information and/orinstructions and/or commands into the user communication device 30,which can include any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a userpointing device, such as, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or anaudio input device and/or a video input device, and/or any device,electronic and/or otherwise which can be utilized for inputting and/orentering data and/or information and/or instructions and/or commandsinto the user communication device 30. The input device(s) 30D is/arealso connected to, or linked with, the CPU 30A.

The user communication device 30 also includes a display device 30E fordisplaying data and/or information to a user or operator. In thepreferred embodiment, the display device 30E is also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 30A. The user communication device 30 also includesa transmitter(s) 30F, for transmitting signals and/or data and/orinformation to any one or more of the personal monitoring device(s) 10,the central processing computer(s) 20, the law enforcement communicationdevice (s) 40, the emergency services provider communication device(s)50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80,the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or any other user communicationdevice(s) 30, which can be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention. In the preferred embodiment, the transmitter(s) 30F is/arealso connected to, or linked with, the CPU 30A. The user communicationdevice 30 also includes a receiver(s) 30G, for receiving signals and/ordata and/or information from any one or more of the personal monitoringdevice(s) 10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or anyother user communication device(s) 30, which can be utilized inconjunction with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, thereceiver(s) 30G is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU 30A.

The user communication device 30 also includes a database(s) 30H. In thepreferred embodiment, the database(s) 30H is/are also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 30A. The database(s) 30H can contain and/or belinked to any of the data and/or information described herein as beingstored in the database(s) 20H as well as any data and/or informationdescribed herein as being stored in the database 10H of each user orindividual monitored by the user or individual who is associated with,or who uses the user communication device.

The database(s) 30H can contain and/or include data and/or informationregarding the user or the individual, or any users or individuals, whoor which utilize the user communication device 30, which can include,but which is not limited to, the user's or the individual's, or eachuser's or each individual's, name, address, telephone number (s),cellular telephone number(s), mobile or wireless telephone number(s),e-mail address or e-mail addresses, and/or text message, instantmessage, SMS message, or MMS message, IP address(es), or any othermessaging, telephone number, or other, address or identifier.

In a preferred embodiment, the database 30H can contain and/or caninclude any data and/or information, and/or any link or links to anydata and/or information, needed or desired for enabling and/or forallowing the user communication device 30H and/or the apparatus 100and/or any of the computers or communication devices described herein asbeing utilized in conjunction with the apparatus 100 and method of thepresent invention to perform any and/or all of the functionalitydescribed herein which is capable of being performed by the usercommunication device 30 and/or the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention.

In a preferred embodiment, the database 30H can contain and/or caninclude any software, software programs, algorithms, or softwareapplications (“apps”) needed or desired for enabling and/or for allowingthe user communication device 30 and/or the apparatus 100 and/or any ofthe computers or communication devices described herein as beingutilized in conjunction with the apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention to perform any and/or all of the functionality describedherein which is capable of being performed by the user communicationdevice 30 and/or the apparatus 100 of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the database(s) 30H can contain and/or caninclude any data and/or information regarding the user communicationdevice 30, the name of the user or the individual, or any users orindividuals, including, but is not limited to, who utilize the usercommunication device 30, including, but not limited to, the user's orthe individual's name, address, home telephone number, e-mail address,IP address, test messaging number, text messaging address, cellulartelephone number, and the telephone number assigned to the usercommunication device 30, as well as the date of birth, gender, height,weight, identification photograph, social security number or any othersuitable identification information, and/or any other data and/orinformation regarding the user of the user communication device 30.

In a preferred embodiment, the database(s) 30H can contain and/or caninclude, for each user or individual who is to be monitored or who isbeing monitored by, with, or using, the user communication device 30,any data and/or information regarding the user or the individual, or anyusers or individuals, including, but is not limited to, the user's orthe individual's name, address, home telephone number, e-mail address,IP address, test messaging number, text messaging address, cellulartelephone number, the telephone number assigned to the personalmonitoring device 10, date or birth, gender, height, weight,identification photograph, social security number or any other suitableidentification information, and/or any other data and/or informationregarding the user of the individual being to be monitored or is to bemonitored.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include for each user,individual, or person, who is to be monitored or who is being monitoredby, with, or using, the user communication device 30, any data and/orinformation regarding the user, the individual's, or the person's,personal monitoring device 10 which can include, but which is notlimited to, the type of device, such as for example, a cellulartelephone, Smartphone, smartphone, personal digital assistant, or anyother device described herein which can be utilized as a personalmonitoring device 10, the manufacturing and model number of personalcommunication device 10, a serial number of the personal monitoringdevice 10, any other identifying data and/or information assigned to,associated with, or relating to, the personal monitoring device 10, thetelephone number associated with, or assigned to, the personalcommunication device 10, the cellular telephone number associated with,or assigned to, the personal communication device 10, the wireless ormobile telephone number associated with, or assigned to, the personalcommunication device 10, an IP address associated with, or assigned to,the personal monitoring device 10, an email address associated with, orassigned to the personal monitoring device 10, a text messaging numberassociated with, or assigned to, the personal monitoring device 10,and/or any other data and/or information associated with the personalmonitoring device 10. The database 30H can also contain and/or caninclude any of the above-described information for any other personalmonitoring device(s) 10 or any number of personal monitoring devices 10which is/are used by the user or individual being monitored or to bemonitored.

The database 10H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding the user or individual who uses the usercommunication device 30. In a preferred embodiment, the user orindividual who is using the user communication device 30 can be, but isnot limited to, a parent or parents, spouse, sibling, relative, friend,nanny, au pair, caregiver, teacher, employer, or any other person orentity, of the user or individual being monitored or to be monitored. Ina preferred embodiment, the database 30H can contain and/or can includethe name, address, telephone number, cellular telephone number, usercommunication device telephone number or cellular telephone number,e-mail address, IP address, text messaging number, and/or any other dataand/or information, and/or contact information, of, for, or regarding,the user or individual who is using the user communication device 30.The database 30H can also contain and/or can include any other dataand/or information, described herein as being stored for or regardingthe user or individual who uses the user communication device 30.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include, for each user orindividual being monitored by or to be monitored by, with, or using, theuser communication device 30, any data and/or information regardingplaces, locations, or venues, to which each user or individual beingmonitored by or to be monitored by the user communication device 30,travels. The database 30H can also contain and/or can include dataand/or information regarding the daily schedule or daily schedules of orfor the each user or individual being monitored by or to be monitoredby, with, or using, the user communication device 30, and/or any dataand/or information regarding the daily routine or daily routines of orfor the each user or individual being monitored by or to be monitoredby, with, or using, the user communication device 30, any places wherethe user or individual being monitored or to be monitored, is or has tobe at a given time, and/or any other data and/or information regardingthe daily routines, weekly routines, travel routines, travel routesused, alternate travel routes used, travel times and/or time of travelregarding any travel by, the user or individual being monitored or to bemonitored, and/or any other data and/or information regarding theroutines that can be utilized in performing a personal monitoringservice for or regarding each user, individual, or person, beingmonitored or to be monitored by, with, or using, the user communicationdevice 30.

For example, in the case of a child being monitored by, with, or using,the user communication device 30, the database 30H can contain and/orcan include, for that child, any data and/or information regarding thedaily weekday schedule for the child such as, for example, the child'shome address, the time or approximate time when the child leaves homefor school, a preferred travel route the child takes to go to school,any alternate travel routes to the school, the time or the approximatetime the child arrives at school or the time school starts for thechild, the time or the approximate time the child leaves school or thetime school ends for the day, a travel route to an after schoolactivity, if applicable, a travel route to the after school activity, analternate travel route to the after school activity, a time or anapproximate time of a travel to an after school activity, a time or anapproximate time when the child leaves the venue of the after schoolactivity, a travel route from the venue of the after school activity tothe child's home, a travel route to the child's home, an alternatetravel route to the child's home, and/or a time or an approximate timewhen the child is expected to arrive at home.

As and for another example, in the case of an adult of any age beingmonitored by, with, or using, the user communication device 30, thedatabase 30H can contain and/or can include, for that adult, any dataand/or information regarding the daily weekday schedule for the adultsuch as, for example, the adult's home address, the time or approximatetime when the adult leaves home for work or some other activity orvenue, a preferred travel route the adult takes to go to work or someother activity or venue, any alternate travel routes to the work,activity, or venue, the time or the approximate time the adult arrivesat work, the activity, or the venue, the time or the approximate timethe adult leaves work, the activity, or the venue, a travel route toanother activity or venue, if applicable, a travel route to the otheractivity or venue, an alternate travel route to the other or venue, atime or an approximate time of a travel to the other activity or venue,a time or an approximate time when the adult leaves the other activityor venue, a travel route from the other activity or venue back to theadult's home, a travel route to the adult's home, an alternate travelroute to the adult's home, and/or a time or an approximate time when theadult is expected to arrive at home.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include, for each user,individual, or person, being monitored by, with, or using, the usercommunication device 30, any data and/or information regarding anyschool(s), workplace(s), club(s), activity venue(s), recreationalvenue(s), entertainment venue(s), or any other place(s), location(s),and/or other venue(s), of the respective user, individual, or person,and/or to which the user, individual, or person, travels and/or at whichthe user, individual, or person, is known to spend time. The database30H can also contain and/or can include for each user, individual, orperson, being monitored by, with, or using, the user communicationdevice 30, any data and/or information regarding the location(s) of anyschool(s), workplace(s), club(s), activity venue(s), recreationalvenue(s), entertainment venue(s), or any other place(s), location(s),and/or other venue(s), of the respective user, individual, or person,which data and/or information can include the name, the address, thetelephone number, the website address, the IP address, a description ofsame, schedule information of or for same, and/or any other informationregarding same.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding any weekday or weekend day schedules oritineraries of any user, individual, or person, who is monitored by oris being monitored by, with, or using, the user communication device 30.The database 30H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding emergency contacts for the user of, or theindividual who uses, the user communication device 30, as well as anyinformation regarding any emergency contact for each user, individual,or person, monitored or being monitored by, with, or using, the usercommunication device 30, including, including, for the user or and/oreach user or individual monitored or being monitored by, with, or using,the user communication device 30, any data and/or information regardingeach respective emergency contact individual, his or her name, telephonenumber, cellular telephone number, text messaging number, e-mailaddress, or IP address, or any other information.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding any personal monitoring accounts associated withthe user communication device 30. The database 30H can also containand/or can include any data and/or information regarding any personsresponsible for monitoring the user or the individual who uses the usercommunication device 30 as well as any data and/or information regardingthe each user, individual, or person, who is to be monitored by, with,or using, the user communication device 30, including, but not limitedto, for each user, individual, or person, his or her name, telephonenumber, cellular telephone number, text messaging number, e-mailaddress, or IP address, or any other information. The database 30H canalso contain and/or can include any data and/or information regardingany and/or all personal monitoring devices 10 assigned to or associatedwith the user communication device 30 and/or can contain and/or caninclude any data and/or information regarding with any personalmonitoring accounts which are associated with, or which can be monitoredor serviced by, the user communication device 30.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include any data and/orinformation regarding any of the personal monitoring devices 10, anycentral processing computer(s) 20, any other user communicationdevice(s) 30, any law enforcement communication device (s) 40, anyemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, and/or thehealthcare records computer(s) 60, described herein, and/or can containand/or can include any link(s) or hyperlink(s) to same.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include an electronichealthcare record of the user or the individual who is using the usercommunication device 30, as well an electronic healthcare record of eachuser, individual, or person, monitored by, with, or using, the usercommunication device 30, as well as any data and/or information whichmay be contained in the electronic healthcare record of each respectiveuser or individual, any personal healthcare record of each respectiveuser or individual, any data and/or information which may be containedin the personal healthcare record of each respective user or individual,any healthcare information regarding each respective user or individual,any information regarding any healthcare condition or special needs ofeach respective user or individual, any information regarding anymedicines, prescribed medications, drugs, or prescribed drugs, which areneeded by each respective user or individual, any information regardingany allergies of each respective user or individual, or any otherinformation regarding any healthcare conditions, needs, or treatments,of, for, or regarding, each respective user or individual. The database30H can also contain and/or can include a link or hyperlink to thehealthcare records computer 60 and/or to any pertinent records, data,and/or information, stored therein as well as any of the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90,described herein.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include data and/orinformation regarding the daily schedule for each weekday or eachweekend day for the each user, individual, or person, monitored by,with, or using, the user communication device 30, travel routestravelled for each day and trip, and/or time(s) associated with eachtrip or travel segment of each trip.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include, for any user,individual, or person, monitored by, with, or using, the usercommunication device 30, any data and/or information regarding the name,address, telephone number(s), cellular telephone number(s), mobile orwireless telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), text messagingaddress(es), IP address(es), or any other contact information for orregarding the user, individual, or person, or any users or individualsauthorized to monitor that user, individual, or person.

It is important to note, as used throughout the application, the term orphrase “text messaging number” includes any and all kinds of messagingnumbers, including, but not limited to, a text messaging number, an SMSmessaging number, and MMS messaging number, or any other number,address, or identifier, used or needed in order to send a text messageor any other message to any user, individual, person, or entity who orwhich uses the apparatus 100 of the present invention.

The database 30H can also contain and/or include any software, softwareprogram(s), algorithm(s), or software applications (“apps”), such asthose known by those skilled in the art at the time of the filing ofthis application, which can be downloaded at any time to the usercommunication device 30, and which can allow the user communicationdevice 30 to ascertain, determine, locate, and/or display, a location orposition of any personal monitoring device 10 used by or associated withany user or individual who is being monitoring by the user or individualwho is using or who is associated with the user communication device 30.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include navigation softwarefor allowing the user communication device 30 to calculate travelroutes, for the user or individual using the user communication device30, as well as for each and/or any user, individual, or person, or theirpersonal monitoring device 10, which is monitored or being monitored,by, with, or using, the user communication device 30, for travel fromone place or point to another, to detect departures from a travel routeand to re-calculate another travel route, and/or for allowing the usercommunication device 30 to calculate and/or store travel routes and/orany data and/or information regarding same as well as alternate travelroutes for same. The database 30H can also contain and/or can includeany data and/or information regarding allowed travel routes for anyuser, individual, or person, monitored or being monitored, by, with, orusing, the user communication device 30, as well as any disallowedtravel routes for the user, individual, or person, monitored or beingmonitored, by, with, or using, the user communication device 30. Thedatabase 30H can also contain and/or can include map data and/or mapinformation including, but not limited to, digitized map data and/orinformation and/or data and/or information for updating any map dataand/or information.

The database 30H can also contain and/or include, for any user,individual, or person, monitored or being monitored, by, with, or using,the user communication device 30, any data and/or information regardingtravel records for each respective user, individual, or person, whichcan contain and/or include data and/or information regarding a date andtime of travel and/or travel routes taken or travelled by, and/or anyother data and/or information regarding, the respective user,individual, or person, for or during any period of time or during and/orfor or relating to any schedule or routine.

The database 30H can also contain and/or include a pre-recorded audiomessage(s) and/or a pre-recorded audio and video message(s), which canbe recorded by any person authorized to monitor the user or individualand which can be uploaded to the central processing computer 20, and/orwhich can be transmitted to the personal monitoring device 10, at anytime, and which can be provided at and/or via the personal monitoringdevice 10 at any time and/or for any reason. For example, an audioand/or an audio and video recording can be played via the personalmonitoring device 10 in order to assist, calm, or comfort, a lost child,to help re-orient a child, to give or provide the child or any one withwhom the child comes into contact with, instructions, contactinformation, emergency contact information, directions, or any otherinformation, and/or can be played to calm, comfort, or assist, a lost,disoriented, or ill, adult or child of any age, or to give or providethe child or any one with whom the child comes into contact with,instructions, contact information, emergency contact information,directions, or any other information.

The database 30H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation, and/or any software, software programs, algorithms, orsoftware applications for controlling and/or monitoring any operation orfunction of any personal monitoring device 10 associated with any userof individual who is monitored or being monitored by, with, or using,the user communication device 30. The database 30H can also containand/or include any data and/or information, and/or any software,software programs, algorithms, or software applications for tracking theposition, location, or whereabouts, of any personal monitoring device 10associated with any user of individual who is monitored or to bemonitored by, with, or using, the user communication device 30.

The database 30H can also contain and/or can include any data,information, software, software programs, algorithms, and/or softwareapplications (or “apps”) which are needed or desired for allowing theuser communication device 30 to perform any and/or all of the functionsand/or functionality described herein as being capable of beingperformed by same and/or by the apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention.

The database 30H can also contain and/or include any and/or all of thedata and/or information described herein as being stored in any of theherein-described databases 10H for any and/or all of the personalmonitoring devices 10 utilized with the apparatus 100, any and/or anyand/or all of the data and/or information described herein as beingstored in the database 20H of the central processing computer 20, and/orany and/or all of the data and/or information described herein as beingstored in any of the databases of the law enforcement communicationdevice (s) 40, the emergency services provider communication device(s)50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80,and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, described herein.

The user communication device 30 also includes an output device(s) 301for outputting any of the data, information, and/or reports, describedherein as being generated by or via the user communication device 30. Inthe preferred embodiment, the output device(s) 301 can be a displayscreen, a speaker, a printer, a display of any type or kind, anindicator light, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other device whichcan be used to output data or information of any kind or type. In thepreferred embodiment, the output device(s) 301 is/are also connected to,or linked with, the CPU 30A.

The user communication device 30 also includes a video and/or audiorecording device(s) 30J which can include a camera and/or a videorecording device for recording pictures or video and/or video clipsand/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recording audio oraudio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by orfrom the user communication device 30, or which can be recorded by, andstored at or in, the user communication device 30 for transmission by orfrom the user communication device 30 at a later time. The video and/oraudio recording device(s) 30J can be utilized to facilitate videoconferencing, video chatting, and/or audio conferencing, and/or videoand audio conferencing, between users of the user communication device30 and any user of any other computer or communication device 10, 20,30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, described herein. In the preferredembodiment, the video and/or audio recording device(s) 30J is/are alsoconnected to, or linked with, the CPU 30A.

In another preferred embodiment, the user communication device 30 canalso include a “kill” switch or associated hardware and/or software (notshown) for disabling and/or deactivating the user communication device30 in instances when same might be lost or stolen, so as to prevent itsuse by another person and/or to prevent any access to any data and/orinformation stored therein, thereby rendering the user communicationdevice 30 useless to another person after being reported, or beingdiscovered, as being lost or stolen.

FIG. 6 illustrates the law enforcement communication device 40 of FIG.1, in block diagram form. The law enforcement communication device 40,in the preferred embodiment, can be a personal computer, a homecomputer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, atablet, a hand-held computer, a palmtop computer, a personalcommunication device, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, amobile telephone, a Smartphone, a smartphone, a personal digitalassistant, a digital television, an interactive television, a digitaltelevision, a telephone, a digital telephone, a television, aninteractive television, a beeper, a pager, and/or a watch or a Smartwatch, and/or any wearable device, computer or communication device. Thelaw enforcement communication device 40 can also be a server computer,or any computer capable of being utilized in a network or capable ofbeing utilized with other computers in a network.

With reference to FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment, the lawenforcement communication device 40 includes a central processing unitor CPU 40A, which in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. TheCPU 40A can also be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer,and/or a mainframe computer, depending upon the application.

The law enforcement communication device 40 also includes a randomaccess memory device(s) 40B (RAM), a read only memory device(s) 40C(ROM), each of which is connected to, or linked with, the CPU 40A, and auser input device 40D, for inputting and/or entering data and/orinformation and/or instructions and/or commands into the law enforcementcommunication device 40, which can include any one or more of akeyboard, a scanner, a user pointing device, such as, for example, amouse, a touch pad, and/or an audio input device and/or a video inputdevice, and/or any device, electronic and/or otherwise which can beutilized for inputting and/or entering data and/or information and/orinstructions and/or commands into the law enforcement communicationdevice 40. The input device(s) 40D is/are also connected to, or linkedwith, the CPU 40A.

The law enforcement communication device 40 also includes a displaydevice 40E for displaying data and/or information to a user or operator.In the preferred embodiment, the display device 40E is also connectedto, or linked with, the CPU 40A. The law enforcement communicationdevice 40 also includes a transmitter(s) 40F, for transmitting signalsand/or data and/or information to any one or more of the personalmonitoring device(s) 10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the usercommunication device(s) 30, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or thehealthcare records computer(s) 60, and/or any other the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, which can be utilized in conjunction withthe present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the transmitter(s)40F is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU 40A. The lawenforcement communication device 40 also includes a receiver(s) 40G, forreceiving signals and/or data and/or information from any one or more ofthe personal monitoring device(s) 10, the central processing computer(s)20, the user communication device(s) 30, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or anyother law enforcement communication device(s) 40, which can be utilizedin conjunction with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment,the receiver(s) 40G is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU40A.

The law enforcement communication device 40 also includes a database(s)40H. In the preferred embodiment, the database(s) 40H is/are alsoconnected to, or linked with, the CPU 40A. The database(s) 40H cancontain and/or include, and/or can contain and/or include a link(s) orhyperlink(s) to, and/or can be linked to or with, any of the data and/orinformation described herein as being stored in the database(s) 10H,20H, 30H, and/or in any of the databases of any of the emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcare recordscomputer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehiclecomputer(s) 90, described herein, for any user or individual monitored,or to be monitored, by, with, or using, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention and/or for any personal monitoring account being serviced bythe apparatus 100 of the present invention. The database(s) 40H can alsocontain and/or include, and/or can contain and/or include a link(s) orhyperlink(s) to, and/or can be linked to or with, any of the data and/orinformation described herein as being stored in the database(s) 10H,20H, 30H, and/or in any of the databases of any of the emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcare recordscomputer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehiclecomputer(s) 90, described herein, for or regarding any user orindividual who or which uses a user communication device 30 to monitoranother user or individual. The database(s) 40H can also contain and/orinclude, and/or can contain and/or include a link(s) or hyperlink(s) to,and/or can be linked to or with, any of the data and/or informationdescribed herein as being stored in the database(s) 10H, 20H, 30H,and/or in any of the databases of any of the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the healthcare records computer(s) 60, theRFID reader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90,described herein, for or regarding any user or individual who or whichuses a personal monitoring device 10 to allow himself or herself to bemonitored by another user or individual via the apparatus 100 and methodof the present invention.

The database(s) 40H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation regarding the user or the individual, or any users orindividuals, who or which utilize any user communication device 30 orany user or individual who utilizes a personal monitoring device 10,which can include, but which is not limited to, the user's or theindividual's, or each user's or each individual's, name, address,telephone number(s), cellular telephone number(s), mobile or wirelesstelephone number(s), e-mail address or e-mail addresses, and/or textmessage, instant message, SMS message, or MMS message, or any othermessaging, telephone number or other address or identifier.

The database 40H can also contain and/or include any other data and/orinformation, and/or any software, software programs, algorithms, and/orsoftware applications, described herein or otherwise, which are neededor desired for enabling the law enforcement communication device 40 toperform any and/or all of the functions and/or functionality describedherein as being performed by same.

The law enforcement communication device 40 also includes an outputdevice(s) 401 for outputting any of the data, information, and/orreports, described herein as being generated by or via the lawenforcement communication device(s) 40. In the preferred embodiment, theoutput device 401 can be a display screen, a speaker, a printer, adisplay of any type or kind, an indicator light, a transmitter, a modem,and/or any other device which can be used to output data or informationof any kind or type. In the preferred embodiment, the output device(s)401 is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU 40A.

The law enforcement communication device 40 also includes a video and/oraudio recording device(s) 40J which can include a camera and/or a videorecording device for recording pictures or video and/or video clipsand/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recording audio oraudio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by orfrom the law enforcement communication device 40, or which can berecorded by, and stored at or in, the law enforcement communicationdevice 40 for transmission by or from the law enforcement communicationdevice 40 at a later time. The video and/or audio recording device(s)40J can be utilized to facilitate video conferencing, video chatting,and/or audio conferencing, and/or video and audio conferencing, betweenusers of the law enforcement communication device 40 and any user of anyother computer or communication device 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80,and/or 90, described herein. The video and/or audio recording device(s)40J can also be utilized to facilitate one-way broadcasts from the lawenforcement communication device 40. In the preferred embodiment, thevideo and/or audio recording device(s) 40J is/are also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 40A.

FIG. 7 illustrates the emergency services provider communication device50 of FIG. 1, in block diagram form. The emergency services providercommunication device 50, in the preferred embodiment, can be a personalcomputer, a home computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, atablet computer, a tablet, a hand-held computer, a palmtop computer, apersonal communication device, a cellular telephone, a wirelesstelephone, a mobile telephone, a Smartphone, a smartphone, a personaldigital assistant, a digital television, an interactive television, adigital television, a telephone, a digital telephone, a television, aninteractive television, a beeper, a pager, and/or a watch or a Smartwatch, and/or any wearable device, computer or communication device. Theemergency services provider communication device 50 can also be a servercomputer, or any computer capable of being utilized in a network orcapable of being utilized with other computers in a network.

With reference to FIG. 7, in the preferred embodiment, the emergencyservices provider communication device 50 includes a central processingunit or CPU 50A, which in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor.The CPU 50A can also be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, amacro-computer, and/or a mainframe computer, depending upon theapplication.

The emergency services provider communication device 50 also includes arandom access memory device(s) 50B (RAM), a read only memory device(s)50C (ROM), each of which is connected to, or linked with, the CPU 50A,and a user input device 50D, inputting and/or entering data and/orinformation and/or instructions and/or commands into the emergencyservices provider communication device 50, which can include any one ormore of a keyboard, a scanner, a user pointing device, such as, forexample, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or an audio input device and/or avideo input device, and/or any device, electronic and/or otherwise whichcan be utilized for inputting and/or entering data and/or informationand/or instructions and/or commands into the emergency services providercommunication device 50. The input device(s) 50D is/are also connectedto, or linked with, the CPU 50A.

The emergency services provider communication device 50 also includes adisplay device 50E for displaying data and/or information to a user oroperator. In the preferred embodiment, the display device 50E is alsoconnected to, or linked with, the CPU 50A. The emergency servicesprovider communication device 50 also includes a transmitter(s) 50F, fortransmitting signals and/or data and/or information to any one or moreof the personal monitoring device(s) 10, the central processingcomputer(s) 20, the user communication device(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, and/or the healthcare records computer(s)60, and/or any other emergency services provider communication device(s)50, which can be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. Inthe preferred embodiment, the transmitter(s) 50F is/are also connectedto, or linked with, the CPU 50A. The emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50 also includes a receiver(s) 50G, forreceiving signals and/or data and/or information from any one or more ofthe personal monitoring device(s) 10, the central processing computer(s)20, the user communication device(s) 30, law enforcement communicationdevice (s) 40, and/or the healthcare records computer(s) 60, and/or anyother the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, whichcan be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. In thepreferred embodiment, the receiver(s) 50G is/are also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 50A.

The emergency services provider communication device 50 also includes adatabase(s) 50H. In the preferred embodiment, the database(s) 50H is/arealso connected to, or linked with, the CPU 50A. The database(s) 50H cancontain and/or include, and/or can contain and/or include a link(s) orhyperlink(s) to, and/or can be linked to or with, any of the data and/orinformation described herein as being stored in the database(s) 10H,20H, 30H, and/or 40H, and/or in any of the databases of any of thehealthcare records computer(s) 60, the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/orthe venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, described herein, for any user orindividual monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, or using, theapparatus 100 of the present invention and/or for any personalmonitoring account being serviced by the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention. The database(s) 50H can also contain and/or include, and/orcan contain and/or include a link(s) or hyperlink(s) to, and/or can belinked to or with, any of the data and/or information described hereinas being stored in the database(s) 10H, 20H, 30H, and/or 40H, and/or inany of the databases of any of the healthcare records computer(s) 60,the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90,described herein, for or regarding any user or individual who or whichuses a user communication device 30 to monitor another user orindividual. The database(s) 50H can also contain and/or include, and/orcan contain and/or include a link(s) or hyperlink(s) to, and/or can belinked to or with, any of the data and/or information described hereinas being stored in the database(s) 10H, 20H, 30H, and/or 40H, and/or inany of the databases of any of the healthcare records computer(s) 60,the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90,described herein, for or regarding any user or individual who or whichuses a personal monitoring device 10 to allow himself or herself to bemonitored by another user or individual via the apparatus 100 and methodof the present invention.

The database(s) 50H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation regarding the user or the individual, or any users orindividuals, who or which utilize any user communication device 30 orany user or individual who utilizes a personal monitoring device 10,which can include, but which is not limited to, the user's or theindividual's, or each user's or each individual's, name, address,telephone number(s), cellular telephone number(s), mobile or wirelesstelephone number(s), e-mail address or e-mail addresses, and/or textmessage, instant message, SMS message, or MMS message, or any othermessaging, telephone number or other address or identifier.

The database 50H can also contain and/or include any other data and/orinformation, and/or any software, software programs, algorithms, and/orsoftware applications, described herein or otherwise, which are neededor desired for enabling the emergency services provider communicationdevice 50 to perform any and/or all of the functions and/orfunctionality described herein as being performed by same.

The emergency services provider communication device 50 also includes anoutput device(s) 501 for outputting any of the data, information, and/orreports, described herein as being generated by or via the emergencyservices provider communication device 50. In the preferred embodiment,the output device(s) 501 can be a display screen, a speaker, a printer,a display of any type or kind, an indicator light, a transmitter, amodem, and/or any other device which can be used to output data orinformation of any kind or type. In the preferred embodiment, the outputdevice(s) 501 is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU 50A.

The emergency services provider communication device 50 also includes avideo and/or audio recording device(s) 50J which can include a cameraand/or a video recording device for recording pictures or video and/orvideo clips and/or a microphone or an audio recording device forrecording audio or audio clips which can be recorded by, and/ortransmitted live, by or from the emergency services providercommunication device 50, or which can be recorded by, and stored at orin, the emergency services provider communication device 50 fortransmission by or from the emergency services provider communicationdevice 50 at a later time. The video and/or audio recording device(s)50J can be utilized to facilitate video conferencing, video chatting,and/or audio conferencing, and/or video and audio conferencing, betweenusers of the emergency services provider communication device 50 and anyuser of any other computer or communication device 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,60, 80, and/or 90, described herein. The video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 50J can also be utilized to facilitate one-way broadcasts fromthe emergency services provider communication device 50. In thepreferred embodiment, the video and/or audio recording device(s) 50Jis/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU 50A.

FIG. 8 illustrates the healthcare records computer 60 of FIG. 1, inblock diagram form. The healthcare records computer 60, in a preferredembodiment, can also be any computer or computer system, or any group ofcomputers. The healthcare records computer 60, in the preferredembodiment, can also be a personal computer, a home computer, a laptopcomputer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a tablet, a hand-heldcomputer, a palmtop computer, a personal communication device, acellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, aSmartphone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a digitaltelevision, an interactive television, a digital television, atelephone, a digital telephone, a television, an interactive television,a beeper, a pager, and/or a watch or a Smart watch, and/or any wearabledevice, computer or communication device. The healthcare recordscomputer 60 can also be server computer, or any computer capable ofbeing utilized in a network or capable of being utilized with othercomputers in a network.

With reference to FIG. 8, in the preferred embodiment, the healthcarerecords computer 60 includes a central processing unit or CPU 60A, whichin the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 60A can alsobe a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or a mainframecomputer, depending upon the application.

The healthcare records computer 60 also includes a random access memorydevice(s) 60B (RAM), a read only memory device(s) 60C (ROM), each ofwhich is connected to, or linked with, the CPU 60A, and a user inputdevice 60D, for inputting and/or entering data and/or information and/orinstructions and/or commands into the healthcare records computer 60,which can include any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a userpointing device, such as, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or anaudio input device and/or a video input device, and/or any device,electronic and/or otherwise which can be utilized for inputting and/orentering data and/or information and/or instructions and/or commandsinto the healthcare records computer 60. The input device(s) 60D is/arealso connected to, or linked with, the CPU 60A.

The healthcare records computer 60 also includes a display device 60Efor displaying data and/or information to a user or operator. In thepreferred embodiment, the display device 60E is also connected to, orlinked with, the CPU 60A. The healthcare records computer 60 alsoincludes a transmitter(s) 60F, for transmitting signals and/or dataand/or information to any one or more of the personal monitoringdevice(s) 10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the usercommunication device(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s)40, the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, the RFIDreader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or anyother healthcare records computer(s) 60, which can be utilized inconjunction with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, thetransmitter(s) 60F is/are also connected to, or linked with, the CPU60A. The healthcare records computer 60 also includes a receiver(s) 60G,for receiving signals and/or data and/or information from any one ormore of the personal monitoring device(s) 10, the central processingcomputer(s) 20, the user communication device(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/or thevenue/vehicle computer(s) 90, and/or any other healthcare recordscomputer(s) 60, which can be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention. In the preferred embodiment, the receiver(s) 60G is/are alsoconnected to, or linked with, the CPU 60A.

The healthcare records computer 60 also includes a database(s) 60H. Inthe preferred embodiment, the database(s) 60H is/are also connected to,or linked with, the CPU 60A. The database(s) 60H can contain and/orinclude, and/or can contain and/or include a link(s) or hyperlink(s) to,and/or can be linked to or with, any of the data and/or informationdescribed herein as being stored in the database(s) 10H, 20H, 30H, 40H,50H, and/or in any of the databases of any of the RFID reader system(s)80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, described herein, for anyuser or individual monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, or using,the apparatus 100 of the present invention and/or for any personalmonitoring account being serviced by the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention. The database(s) 60H can also contain and/or include, and/orcan contain and/or include a link(s) or hyperlink(s) to, and/or can belinked to or with, any of the data and/or information described hereinas being stored in the database(s) 10H, 20H, 30H, 40H, 50H, and/or inany of the databases of any of the RFID reader system(s) 80, and/or thevenue/vehicle computer(s) 90, described herein, for or regarding anyuser or individual who or which uses a user communication device 30 tomonitor another user or individual. The database(s) 60H can also containand/or include, and/or can contain and/or include a link(s) orhyperlink(s) to, and/or can be linked to or with, any of the data and/orinformation described herein as being stored in the database(s) 10H,20H, 30H, 40H, 50H, and/or in any of the databases of any of the RFIDreader system(s) 80, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, describedherein, for or regarding any user or individual who or which uses apersonal monitoring device 10 to allow himself or herself to bemonitored by another user or individual via the apparatus 100 and methodof the present invention.

The database 60H can also contain and/or include, for each user orindividual monitored, or to be monitored, by, with, or using, theapparatus 100 of the present invention, and for each user or individualwho is monitoring, or who is to be monitoring, any other user orindividual, an electronic healthcare record, an electronic medicalrecord, an electronic dental record, a healthcare record, and/or apersonal healthcare record, for the respective user or individual, whichcan include any data and/or information typically found in anyelectronic healthcare records, electronic medical records, electronicdental records, healthcare records, and/or personal healthcare records.The database 60H can also include for each user or individual,information regarding any healthcare conditions of the user orindividual, any medicines, medications, or drugs, the user or individualis taking or required to take, any allergies the user or individual mayhave, and/or any other information which may be needed or useful for theuser's or the individual's well being.

The database(s) 60H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation regarding the user or the individual, or any users orindividuals, who or which utilize any user communication device 30 orany user or individual who utilizes a personal monitoring device 10,which can include, but which is not limited to, the user's or theindividual's, or each user's or each individual's, name, address,telephone number(s), cellular telephone number(s), mobile or wirelesstelephone number(s), e-mail address or e-mail addresses, and/or textmessage, instant message, SMS message, or MMS message, or any othermessaging, telephone number or other address or identifier.

The database 60H can also contain and/or include any other data and/orinformation, and/or any software, software programs, algorithms, and/orsoftware applications, described herein or otherwise, which are neededor desired for enabling the healthcare records computer 60 to performany and/or all of the functions and/or functionality described herein asbeing performed by same.

The healthcare records computer 60 also includes an output device(s) 601for outputting any of the data, information, and/or reports, describedherein as being generated by or via the healthcare records computer 60.In the preferred embodiment, the output device(s) 601 can be a displayscreen, a speaker, a printer, a display of any type or kind, anindicator light, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other device whichcan be used to output data or information of any kind or type. In thepreferred embodiment, the output device(s) 601 is/are also connected to,or linked with, the CPU 60A.

The healthcare records computer 60 also includes a video and/or audiorecording device(s) 60J which can include a camera and/or a videorecording device for recording pictures or video and/or video clipsand/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recording audio oraudio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by orfrom the healthcare records computer 60, or which can be recorded by,and stored at or in, the healthcare records computer 60 for transmissionby or from the healthcare records computer 60 at a later time. The videoand/or audio recording device(s) 60J can be utilized to facilitate videoconferencing, video chatting, and/or audio conferencing, and/or videoand audio conferencing, between users of the healthcare records computer60 and any user of any other computer or communication device 10, 20,30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, described herein. The video and/or audiorecording device(s) 60J can also be utilized to facilitate one-waybroadcasts from the healthcare records computer 60. In the preferredembodiment, the video and/or audio recording device(s) 60J is/are alsoconnected to, or linked with, the CPU 60A.

FIG. 9 illustrates the RFID reader system 80 of FIG. 1, in block diagramform. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID reader system 80 can includeany number of RFID readers which can service any single venue or anysingle vehicle, or the RFID reader system 80 can include any number ofRFID readers which can service any number of venues and/or any number ofvehicles. With reference to FIG. 9, in the preferred embodiment, theRFID reader system 80 includes a central processing unit or CPU 80Awhich, in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 90A mayalso be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application. The CPU 80A isspecially programmed and/or specially configured to perform any and/orall of the functionality described herein as being performed by the RFIDreader system 80.

The RFID reader system 80 also includes a random access memory (RAM)device(s) 80B and a read only (ROM) memory device(s) 80C, each of whichis connected to the CPU 80A, and a user input device(s) 80D, forentering data or information and/or instructions and/or commands intothe RFID reader system 80. The user input device(s) 80D can be or caninclude any one or more of a keyboard, a touch screen keyboard, ascanner, a user pointing device, such as, for example, a mouse, an audioinput device, a microphone, a camera, a video recording device, a touchpad, or a touch screen, or any other device or component for allowingdata, information, or instructions and/or commands, to be entered intothe RFID reader system 80. The user input device(s) 80D is/are alsoconnected to the CPU 80A.

The RFID reader system 80 also includes a display device 80E fordisplaying data and/or information to a user. The RFID reader system 80also includes a transmitter 80F, for transmitting signals and/or dataand/or information to any one or more of the personal monitoringdevice(s) 10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the usercommunication device(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s)40, the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, and/orthe venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, or to any of the other RFID readersystems 80. The RFID reader system 80 also includes a receiver 80G, forreceiving signals and/or data and/or information from any one or more ofthe personal monitoring device(s) 10, the central processing computer(s)20, the user communication device(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device (s) 40, the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, and/or the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, orfrom any of the other RFID reader systems 80.

The RFID reader system 80 also includes a database(s) 80H. Thedatabase(s) 80H can contain and/or be linked to any of the data and/orinformation described herein as being stored in the database 20H. Thedatabase(s) 80H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation regarding any RFID tags 70 which are, which have been, orwhich are to be read, by the RFID reader system 80, the venue or vehiclein or for which the RFID tags 70 can be used and the RFID readers(denoted by the reference numeral 80L) which can be used to read or scanthe RFID tags 70. The database(s) 80H can also contain and/or includeinformation regarding the RFID readers 80L, the manufacturer of same,the model number of same, and the RFID tags 70 which can be read orscanned by the same.

The database(s) 80H can also contain and/or include, for each RFIDreader 80L utilized in the RFID reader system 80, information regardingthe respective venue or the respective vehicle in or for which the RFIDreader 80L is deployed, assigned, or utilized, and information regardingthe respective entrance, exit, door, doorway, gateway, or other means bywhich an individual using a personal monitoring device 10 can enterand/or exit the respective venue or the respective vehicle, to which theRFID reader 80L is assigned.

The database(s) 80H can also contain and/or include, for each RFIDreader 80L, any position or location information regarding the same,information regarding the RFID reader's 80L position or location in oron the respective venue or the respective vehicle, latitude informationor latitude of the RFID reader 80L, longitude information or longitudeof the RFID reader 80L, and/or any other information regarding the RFIDreader 80L including manufacturer information, model number, serialnumber, whether the RFID reader 80L is a passive RFID tag reader or anactive RFID tag reader, and/or any other data and/or information deemedneeded, required, or desired, for allowing the RFID reader system 80 toperform all of the functions and functionalities described herein asbeing performed by the RFID reader system 80 and/or the centralprocessing computer 20, and/or the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention.

The database 40H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation described herein as being contained and/or included in anyof the herein-described and respective databases 10H, 20H, 30, 40H, 50H,60H, and/or 80H of any other RFID reader systems 80. and/or anydatabases of and for any of the venue/vehicle computer(s) 90, describedherein as being utilized in connection, and/or in conjunction with, theapparatus 100 of the present invention.

The database 80H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation which may be required, and/or which may be desired, forperforming any of the functionality and/or processing routines describedherein as being performed by the RFID reader system 80 and/or theapparatus 100. The database 80H can also be connected to the CPU 80A.

The RFID reader system 80 also includes an output device(s) 801 foroutputting any of the data and/or information described herein as beinggenerated by or via the RFID reader system 80. In the preferredembodiment, the output device(s) 801 can be a printer, a display, atransmitter, a modem, and/or any other device which can be used tooutput data or information of any kind or type. The output device(s) 801can also be connected to the CPU 80A.

The RFID reader system 80 can also include a video and/or audiorecording device(s) 80J which can include a camera and/or a videorecording device for recording pictures or video and/or video clipsand/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recording audio oraudio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by orfrom the RFID reader system 80, or which can be recorded by, and storedat or in, the RFID reader system 80 for transmission by or from the RFIDreader system 80 at a later time. The video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 80J can also be utilized to facilitate one-way broadcasts fromthe RFID reader system 80, and/or can be utilized to facilitate videoconferencing, video chatting, and/or audio conferencing, and/or videoand audio conferencing, between any of the herein-described users,individuals, parties, or entities, who or which utilize the apparatus100 and method of the present invention. In this regard, the videoand/or audio recording device(s) 80J can be utilized to facilitate videoconferencing, video chatting, and/or audio conferencing, and/or videoand audio conferencing, between users of the RFID reader system 80 andany user of any other computer or communication device 10, 20, 30, 40,50, 60, 80, and/or 90, described herein. The video and/or audiorecording device(s) 80J can also be utilized to facilitate one-waybroadcasts from the RFID reader system 80. In a preferred embodiment,the user or operator of the RFID reader system 80 can also engage intelephone calls and video conferencing calls via the same. The user oroperator of the RFID reader system 80 can also use the video and/oraudio recording device(s) 80J to record and broadcast or transmitcontent via its transmitter 80F. The video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 80J can also be connected to the CPU 80A.

With reference to FIG. 9, the RFID reader system 80, in the preferredembodiment, also includes a global positioning device 80K fordetermining the position or location of the RFID reader system 80. Theglobal positioning device 80K can also be connected to the CPU 80A.

With reference to FIG. 9, the RFID reader system 80, in the preferredembodiment, can also include an RFID reader 80L, or any number of RFIDreaders 80L which can be any commercially available RFID reader devicewhich can be suitable for use with the kind or type of RFID readersystem 80 and RFID tags 70 which are utilized in connection with theapparatus 100 of the present invention. The RFID reader 80L can be anysuitable and commercially available RFID reader which can be integratedwith the respective RFID reader system 80, can be integrated into a caseor other housing of and/or for the respective RFID reader system 80, orcan be located externally from and/or can be wirelessly linked to orwith, the respective RFID reader system 80 and/or the CPU 80A of same,such as by using any suitable wireless communication technology and/or aBluetooth communication link. In such an embodiment, the RFID readersystem 80 can be programmed with or equipped with any suitable hardwareand software programs or software applications (“apps”) needed ordesired for enabling the RFID reader system 80 and the RFID reader(s)80L to communicate with each other and work together to provide therespective RFID reader system 80 with all necessary or desired RFIDreading capabilities and functionalities.

In a preferred embodiment, any number of RFID readers 80L can beutilized to service any single venue or any single vehicle. In apreferred embodiment, each RFID reader 80L can be stationed orpositioned at, or adjacent to, a particular entrance, exit, door,doorway, and/or gateway, of, or any other entrance or exit means, of arespective vehicle or a respective vehicle, by or via which anindividual, using a personal monitoring device 10, can enter and/or exitthe respective venue or the respective vehicle.

FIG. 10 illustrates the venue/vehicle computer 90 of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form. With reference to FIG. 10, in the preferred embodiment,the venue/vehicle computer 90 includes a central processing unit or CPU90A which, in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 90Amay also be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application. The CPU 90A isspecially programmed and/or specially configured to perform any and/orall of the functionality described herein as being performed by thevenue/vehicle computer 90. In a preferred embodiment, each venue/vehiclecomputer 90 can be associated with, assigned to, and/or deployed at, on,or in, any respective venue or any respective vehicle.

The venue/vehicle computer 90 also includes a random access memory (RAM)device(s) 90B and a read only (ROM) memory device(s) 90C, each of whichis connected to the CPU 90A, and a user input device(s) 90D, forentering data or information and/or instructions and/or commands intothe venue/vehicle computer 90. The user input device(s) 90D can be orcan include any one or more of a keyboard, a touch screen keyboard, ascanner, a user pointing device, such as, for example, a mouse, an audioinput device, a microphone, a camera, a video recording device, a touchpad, or a touch screen, or any other device or component for allowingdata, information, or instructions and/or commands, to be entered intothe venue/vehicle computer 90. The user input device(s) 90D is/are alsoconnected to the CPU 90A.

The venue/vehicle computer 90 also includes a display device 90E fordisplaying data and/or information to a user. The venue/vehicle computer90 also includes a transmitter 90F, for transmitting signals and/or dataand/or information to any one or more of the personal monitoringdevice(s) 10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the usercommunication device(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s)40, the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, thehealthcare records computers 60, and/or RFID reader systems 80, and/orto any other venue/vehicle computer(s) 90. The venue/vehicle computer 90also includes a receiver 90G, for receiving signals and/or data and/orinformation from any one or more of the personal monitoring device(s)10, the central processing computer(s) 20, the user communicationdevice(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device (s) 40, theemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, the healthcarerecords computers 60, and/or RFID reader systems 80, and/or to any othervenue/vehicle computer(s) 90.

The venue/vehicle computer 90 also includes a database(s) 90H. Thedatabase 90H can contain and/or be linked to any of the data and/orinformation described herein as being stored in the databases 10H, 20H,30H, 40H, 50H, 60H, and/or 80H, described herein. The database 90H canalso contain and/or include any data and/or information regarding therespective venue or the respective vehicle associated with therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or data and/or informationregarding the name, address, telephone number, email address, text, SMS,or instant messaging, number, website address, url, and/or any otheridentifying and/or contact information for the respective venue or therespective vehicle. The database 90H can also contain and/or include,for the respective venue or the respective vehicle associated with therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or a calendar, a calendar ofevents, a schedule, and/or an itinerary, of or for each respective venueand/or of or for each respective vehicle. The database 90H can alsocontain and/or include data and/or information regarding any and/or allRFID reader systems 80 and/or any and/or all RFID readers 80L associatedwith same, which are assigned to, and/or deployed at, on, or in, therespective venue and/or the respective vehicle which is associated. Thedatabase 90H can also contain and/or include data and/or informationregarding each RFID reader 80L and/or RFID reader 90L (shown in FIG. 10)which is utilized in, on, or at, the respective venue or the respectivevehicle and information regarding where each RFID reader 80L and/or RFIDreader 90L is located in, on, or at, the respective venue or therespective vehicle, including, but not limited to, information regardingeach respective entrance, exit, door, doorway, gateway, or other meansby which an individual using a personal monitoring device 10 can enterand/or exit the respective venue or the respective vehicle, to which, oradjacent to which, each respective RFID reader 80L and/or RFID reader90L is assigned and/or deployed.

The database(s) 90H can also contain and/or include any data and/orinformation needed or desired for performing all of the functions and/orfunctionalities described herein as being performed by the venue/vehiclecomputer 90 and/or the apparatus 100 of the present invention. Thedatabase 90H can also be connected to the CPU 90A.

The venue/vehicle computer 90 also includes an output device(s) 901 foroutputting any of the data and/or information described herein as beinggenerated by or via the venue/vehicle computer 90. In the preferredembodiment, the output device(s) 901 can be a printer, a display, atransmitter, a modem, and/or any other device which can be used tooutput data or information of any kind or type. The output device(s) 901can also be connected to the CPU 90A.

The venue/vehicle computer 90 can also include a video and/or audiorecording device(s) 90J which can include a camera and/or a videorecording device for recording pictures or video and/or video clipsand/or a microphone or an audio recording device for recording audio oraudio clips which can be recorded by, and/or transmitted live, by orfrom the venue/vehicle computer 90, or which can be recorded by, andstored at or in, the venue/vehicle computer 90 for transmission by orfrom the venue/vehicle computer 90 at a later time. The video and/oraudio recording device(s) 90J can also be utilized to facilitate one-waybroadcasts from the venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or can be utilized tofacilitate video conferencing, video chatting, and/or audioconferencing, and/or video and audio conferencing, between any of theherein-described users, individuals, parties, or entities, who or whichutilize the apparatus 100 and method of the present invention. In apreferred embodiment, the video and/or audio recording device(s) 90J canbe utilized to facilitate video conferencing, video chatting, and/oraudio conferencing, and/or video and audio conferencing, between usersof the venue/vehicle computer 90 and any user of any other computer orcommunication device 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, and/or 90, describedherein. In this regard, the user or operator of the venue/vehiclecomputer 90 can engage in telephone calls and video conferencing callsvia the same. The user or operator of the venue/vehicle computer 90 canalso use the video and/or audio recording device(s) 90J to record andbroadcast or transmit content via its transmitter 90F. The video and/oraudio recording device(s) 90J can also be connected to the CPU 90A.

With reference to FIG. 10, the venue/vehicle computer 90, in thepreferred embodiment, also includes a global positioning device 90K fordetermining the position or location of the venue/vehicle computer 90.The global positioning device 90K can also be connected to the CPU 90A.

With reference once again to FIG. 10, the venue/vehicle computer 90, inthe preferred embodiment, can also include one or more RFID readers 90L,or one or more of the RFID readers 80L, described herein, which can beany commercially available RFID reader of RFID reader device(s) whichcan be suitable for use with the kind or type of venue or vehicle whichis utilized, which can be suitable for the venue/vehicle computer 90which is utilized, and/or which can be suitable for the particular RFIDreading functionality required at the respective venue or the respectivevehicle. In a preferred embodiment, one or more RFID readers 90L, orRFID readers 80L, can be stationed at, or positioned at, a respectiveentrance, exit, door, doorway, gateway, or other means by which anindividual using a personal monitoring device 10 can enter and/or exitthe respective venue or the respective vehicle. In this manner, the RFIDreader(s) 90L can read or scan a respective RFID tag(s) 70 which areattached to or affixed to, or which are placed on or inside, therespective personal monitoring device 10 being used by the individual asthey enter and/or exit the respective venue or the respective vehicle.In a preferred embodiment, the RFID readers 90L can be, or can include,any of the herein-described RFID readers 80L of any of theherein-described RFID reader systems 80. In this regard, in a preferredembodiment, the RFID readers 90L and the RFID readers 80L can be thesame RFID readers, and can be utilized in any RFID reader system 80,and/or in or with any venue/vehicle computer 90, described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention can be utilized to monitor an individual or individuals of anyage. In this regard, the apparatus 100 and/or the personal monitoringdevice 10 can be utilized to monitor any child, infant, teenager oryoung adult, adult of any age, and/or elderly individual. In a preferredembodiment, the apparatus 100 and/or the personal monitoring device 10can also be utilized to monitor any child, infant, teenager or youngadult, adult of any age, and/or elderly individual, who may or may notbe inflicted with a condition, illness, or disease, or who may or maynot be inflicted with autism, Alzheimer's disease, memory loss, or beill with any temporary or permanent illness, sickness, disease, orcondition. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 and/or thepersonal monitoring device 10 can also be utilized to monitor any child,infant, teenager or young adult, adult of any age, and/or elderlyindividual, as a safety precaution.

In a preferred embodiment, any user or individual who utilizes apersonal monitoring device 10, or who has a personal monitoring device10 assigned to him or her, or who has a personal monitoring device 10associated with him or her, can be referred to herein, or can be definedherein as being, a “monitored individual”. In a preferred embodiment,any user or individual who utilizes a user communication device 30 tomonitor a monitored individual can be referred to herein, or can bedefined herein as being, a “monitoring individual”.

In a preferred embodiment, it is envisioned that a personal monitoringdevice 10 can be programmed with, or can have stored therein ortherewith, information regarding the monitored individual's homeaddress, residence address, school residence address or place, workplaceaddress, or other address, place, or location, which is considered to bethat monitored individual's place of safety or “home base” or “safelocation”. In a preferred embodiment, it is envisioned that the personalmonitoring device 10 can be programmed with, or can have stored thereinor therewith, information regarding any address(es), place(s), orlocation(s), to which the monitored individual typically travels on adaily basis. For example, the personal monitoring device 10 can beprogrammed with, or can have stored therein or therewith, informationregarding the monitored individual's school address, place, or location,workplace address, place, or location, employment address, place, orlocation, activity or event address, place, or location, or any otheraddress, place, or location, to which the monitored individual is knownto travel on a weekday basis, on a weekend daily basis, or on any dailybasis.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beprogrammed with the monitored individual's travel itineraries and/ortravel schedules for traveling to and between one address, place, orlocation to another address, place, or location. In a preferredembodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also be programmedwith travel routes or directions for traveling to and between oneaddress, place, or location to another address, place, or location. In apreferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beprogrammed with software programs, navigation programs, or anyalgorithms or software applications, for identifying, determining,ascertaining, or calculating, any travel routes or directions fortraveling to and between one address, place, or location to anotheraddress, place, or location.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can beutilized in connection with, or in conjunction with, the RFID tags 70 inorder to detect and/or to ascertain when the monitored individual entersinto or onto, and/or exits from, any venue or any vehicle, and/or todetect and/or to ascertain when the monitored individual enters into oronto, and/or exits from, any venue or any vehicle during his or herdaily activities and/or daily travels, regardless of whether or not themonitored individual is traveling in accordance with his or her travelitinerary or schedule.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beutilized in connection with, or in conjunction with, the apparatus 100,the central processing computer 20, a user communication device 30associated with, or used by, any user or individual authorized to, orassigned to, monitor the monitored individual, any law enforcementcommunication device 40, and/or any emergency services providercommunication device 50. In another preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can also be utilized as a stand-alone device by themonitored individual to allow the monitored individual to monitor his orher travels, whereabouts, or environment.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beutilized to record, and/or to report on, the travels and/or travelhistory of or for a monitored individual for any given period of time.In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or thecentral processing computer 20 can also utilize artificial intelligence(AI) and/or machine learning algorithms and/or programs in order tomodify the stored or expected travel itinerary or schedule of amonitored individual.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention can be utilized in order to monitor a monitored individual'sentry into or onto, and/or exit from, a respective venue or a respectivevehicle. In particular, the apparatus 100 of the present invention canbe utilized, in a preferred embodiment, in order to detect and/or toascertain, and/or to report and/or to provide notification, to anauthorized user or to a monitoring individual, regarding when amonitored individual enters into or onto, and/or exits from, a venue,and/or enters into or onto, or exits from, a vehicle during the courseof their daily activities and/or travels. In a preferred embodiment, therespective venue or vehicle can be equipped with an RFID reader(s) 80Lof a respective RFID reader system 80, or an RFID reader(s) 90L of arespective venue/vehicle computer 90. In a preferred embodiment, an RFIDreader 80L or an RFID reader 90L can be positioned at, or can bestationed at, a respective door, doorway, gate, or gateway, for eachdoor, doorway, gate, or gateway, which serves as an entry point into, orexit point from, the respective venue or the respective vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, each time a monitored individual enters intoor onto the respective venue or into or onto the respective vehicle, theRFID tag 70, of or associated with the monitored individual's personalmonitoring device 10, can be read by the respective RFID reader 80L orRFID reader 90L which is positioned at the respective door, doorway,gate, or gateway, of the respective venue or the respective vehiclethrough which the monitored individual enters the same. In a preferredembodiment, the detection of the RFID tag 70 can be reported, by and/orfrom the RFID reader system 80 or the venue/vehicle computer 90,associated with the respective RFID reader 80L or RFID reader 90L, tothe central processing computer 20, to the user communication device 30,and/or to the personal monitoring device 10, via a transmission of anappropriate signal from the respective RFID reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90 to the central processing computer20, to the user communication device 30, and/or to the personalmonitoring device 10. Thereafter, in a preferred embodiment, therespective reader system 80 or the respective venue/vehicle computer 90,and/or the central processing computer 20, can generate an entrynotification message and/or an entry alert message which can containand/or can include information identifying the monitoring individual,information regarding the date and time when the monitoring individualentered into or onto the respective venue or entered into or onto therespective vehicle, and/or information identifying the respective venueor the respective vehicle. In another preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can also generate the herein-described entrynotification message and/or entry alert message.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualentering into or onto a venue, the entry notification message and/orentry alert message can contain and/or can include information regardingthe address of the venue and a contact individual and contact telephonenumber for the venue. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of themonitored individual entering into or onto a vehicle, the entrynotification message and/or entry alert message can contain and/or caninclude information for identifying the vehicle, identifying the type ofvehicle (such as, for example, a private car or vehicle, a car servicevehicle, a ride-sharing vehicle (such as an Uber vehicle or a LYFTvehicle), a mass transportation vehicle, a bus, a train, a subway train,a boat of any type, kind or size, or an aircraft or helicopter of anytype, kind, or size), and/or make and model information and/or vehicleidentification information for the vehicle, information regarding thevehicle operator, and/or contact information for the vehicle and/or thevehicle operator and/or a telephone number for the vehicle owner or thevehicle operator. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of themonitored individual entering into or onto a vehicle, the entrynotification message and/or entry alert message can also contain and/orcan include information regarding the position or location of thevehicle at the time the monitored individual enters into to onto thevehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the position or location of thevehicle can be determined and/or ascertained by the global positioningdevice 90K of the venue/vehicle computer 90 associated with therespective venue or the respective vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the respective reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processingcomputer 20, can transmit the entry notification message and/or theentry alert message to the user communication device 30 which is usedby, associated with, or assigned to, the monitoring individual for themonitored individual. In a preferred embodiment, for example, themonitoring individual can be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, arelative, a friend, a guardian, or any other authorized person. In asituation where the monitored individual may be monitored by more thanone monitoring individual, then the respective reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processingcomputer 20, can transmit the entry notification message and/or theentry alert message to the user communication device 30 which is usedby, associated with, or assigned to, each such monitoring individual. Ina preferred embodiment, the respective reader system 80 and/or thecentral processing computer 20 can also transmit the entry notificationmessage and/or the entry alert message to any law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40 and/or to any emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, if needed or desired. In another preferredembodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can transmit the entrynotification message and/or the entry alert message to the usercommunication device(s) 30 which is used by, associated with, orassigned to, the monitoring individual(s) for the monitored individual,and/or to any law enforcement communication device(s) 40, and/or to anyemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, if needed ordesired.

In a preferred embodiment, any data and/or information contained in theentry notification message and/or the entry alert message can be storedin a travel log or travel history for the monitored individual, whichtravel log or travel history can be stored in any of the databases 10H,20H, 30H, 40H, and/or 50H, of the respective devices, computers, orcommunications devices described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, each time a monitored individual exits fromthe respective venue or from the respective vehicle, the RFID tag 70, ofor associated with the monitored individual's personal monitoring device10, can be read by the respective RFID reader 80L or RFID reader 90Lwhich is positioned at the respective door, doorway, gate, or gateway,of the respective venue or the respective vehicle through which themonitored individual exits the same. In a preferred embodiment, thedetection of the RFID tag 70 can be reported, by and/or from the RFIDreader system 80 or the venue/vehicle computer 90, associated with therespective RFID reader 80L or RFID reader 90L, to the central processingcomputer 20, to the user communication device 30, and/or to the personalmonitoring device 10, via a transmission of an appropriate signal fromthe respective RFID reader system 80 or the respective venue/vehiclecomputer 90 to the central processing computer 20, to the usercommunication device 30, and/or to the personal monitoring device 10.Thereafter, in a preferred embodiment, the respective reader system 80or the respective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the centralprocessing computer 20, can generate an exit notification message and/oran exit alert message which can contain and/or can include informationidentifying the monitoring individual, information regarding the dateand time when the monitoring individual exited from the respective venueor exited from the respective vehicle, and/or information identifyingthe respective venue or the respective vehicle. In another preferredembodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also generate theherein-described exit notification message and/or exit alert message.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualexiting from a venue, the exit notification message and/or exit alertmessage can contain and/or can include information regarding the addressof the venue and a contact individual and contact telephone number forthe venue. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitoredindividual exiting from a vehicle, the exit notification message and/orexit alert message can contain and/or can include information foridentifying the vehicle, identifying the type of vehicle (such as, forexample, a private car or vehicle, a car service vehicle, a ride-sharingvehicle (such as an Uber vehicle or a LYFT vehicle), a masstransportation vehicle, a bus, a train, a subway train, a boat of anytype, kind or size, or an aircraft or helicopter of any type, kind, orsize), and/or make and model information and/or vehicle identificationinformation for the vehicle, information regarding the vehicle operator,and/or contact information for the vehicle and/or the vehicle operatorand/or a telephone number for the vehicle owner or the vehicle operator.In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualexiting from a vehicle, the exit notification message and/or exit alertmessage can also contain and/or can include information regarding theposition or location of the vehicle at the time the monitored individualexited from the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the position orlocation of the vehicle can be determined and/or ascertained by theglobal positioning device 90K of the venue/vehicle computer 90associated with the respective venue or the respective vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the respective reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processingcomputer 20, can transmit the exit notification message and/or the exitalert message to the user communication device 30 which is used by,associated with, or assigned to, the monitoring individual for themonitored individual. In a situation where the monitored individual maybe monitored by more than one monitoring individual, then the respectivereader system 80 or the respective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or thecentral processing computer 20, can transmit the exit notificationmessage and/or the exit alert message to the user communication device30 which is used by, associated with, or assigned to, each suchmonitoring individual. In a preferred embodiment, the respective readersystem 80 or the respective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or thecentral processing computer 20, can also transmit the exit notificationmessage and/or the exit alert message to any law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40 and/or to any emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, if needed or desired. In another preferredembodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can transmit the exitnotification message and/or the exit alert message to the usercommunication device(s) 30 which is used by, associated with, orassigned to, the monitoring individual(s) for the monitored individual,and/or to any law enforcement communication device(s) 40, and/or to anyemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, if needed ordesired.

In a preferred embodiment, any data and/or information contained in theexit notification message and/or the exit alert message can be stored ina travel log or travel history of or for the monitored individual, whichtravel log or travel history can be stored in any of the databases 10H,20H, 30H, 40H, and/or 50H, of the respective devices, computers, orcommunications devices described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time, the monitoring individual canutilize the user communication device 30 in order to access the centralprocessing computer 20 in order to monitor the position or location ofthe personal monitoring device 10 and the monitored individual via thecentral processing computer 20. In a preferred embodiment, at any time,the monitoring individual can also utilize the user communication device30 to communicate with the personal monitoring device 10 and themonitored individual. In a preferred embodiment, at any time, any useror operator of any law enforcement communication device(s) 40 and/or ofany emergency services provider communication device(s) 50 can alsoutilize the same in order to monitor the position or location of thepersonal monitoring device 10 and the monitored individual via thecentral processing computer 20 and/or in order to communicate with thepersonal monitoring device 10 and the monitored individual and/or tocommunicate with any authorized user of any user communication device 30used to monitor the monitored individual.

FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred embodiment method for utilizing theapparatus 100 and method of the present invention in order to monitor amonitored individual, in flow diagram form. In particular, the apparatus100 of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 11 can be utilized in order todetect and/or to ascertain, and/or to report and/or to providenotification, to an authorized user or to a monitoring individual,regarding when a monitored individual enters into or onto, and/or exitsfrom, a venue, and/or enters into or onto, or exits from, a vehicleduring the course of their daily activities and/or travels. As notedherein, in a preferred embodiment, the respective venue or vehicle canbe equipped with an RFID reader(s) 80L of a respective RFID readersystem 80, or an RFID reader(s) 90L of a respective venue/vehiclecomputer 90. In a preferred embodiment, an RFID reader 80L or an RFIDreader 90L can be positioned at, or can be stationed at, a respectivedoor, doorway, gate, or gateway, for each door, doorway, gate, orgateway, which serves as an entry point into, or exit point from, therespective venue or the respective vehicle.

With reference to FIG. 11, the operation of the apparatus 100 commencesat step 1100. At step 1101, when the monitored individual enters into oronto the respective venue or into or onto the respective vehicle, theRFID tag 70, of or associated with the monitored individual's personalmonitoring device 10, can be detected and/or read by the respective RFIDreader 80L or RFID reader 90L which is positioned at the respectivedoor, doorway, gate, or gateway, of the respective venue or therespective vehicle through which the monitored individual enters. Atstep 1101, the detection of the RFID tag 70 can be reported, by and/orfrom the RFID reader system 80 or the venue/vehicle computer 90,associated with the respective RFID reader 80L or RFID reader 90L, tothe central processing computer 20, to the user communication device 30,and/or to the personal monitoring device 10, via a transmission of anappropriate signal from the respective RFID reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90 to the central processing computer20, to the user communication device 30, and/or to the personalmonitoring device 10.

Thereafter, at step 1102, the respective reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processingcomputer 20, can generate an entry notification message and/or an entryalert message which can contain and/or can include informationidentifying the monitoring individual, information regarding the dateand time when the monitoring individual entered into or onto therespective venue or entered into or onto the respective vehicle, and/orinformation identifying the respective venue or the respective vehicle.In another preferred embodiment, at step 1102, the personal monitoringdevice 10 can also generate the herein-described entry notificationmessage and/or entry alert message.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualentering into or onto a venue, the entry notification message and/orentry alert message can contain and/or can include information regardingthe address of the venue and a contact individual and contact telephonenumber for the venue. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of themonitored individual entering into or onto a vehicle, the entrynotification message and/or entry alert message can contain and/or caninclude information for identifying the vehicle, identifying the type ofvehicle (such as, for example, a private car or vehicle, a car servicevehicle, a ride-sharing vehicle (such as an Uber vehicle or a LYFTvehicle), a mass transportation vehicle, a bus, a train, a subway train,a boat of any type, kind or size, or an aircraft or helicopter of anytype, kind, or size), and/or make and model information and/or vehicleidentification information for the vehicle, information regarding thevehicle operator, and/or contact information for the vehicle and/or thevehicle operator and/or a telephone number for the vehicle owner or thevehicle operator. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of themonitored individual entering into or onto a vehicle, the entrynotification message and/or entry alert message can also contain and/orcan include information regarding the position or location of thevehicle at the time the monitored individual enters into to onto thevehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the position or location of thevehicle can be determined and/or ascertained by the global positioningdevice 90K of the venue/vehicle computer 90 associated with therespective venue or the respective vehicle.

At step 1102, the respective reader system 80 or the respectivevenue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processing computer 20,can transmit the entry notification message and/or the entry alertmessage to the user communication device 30 which is used by, associatedwith, or assigned to, the monitoring individual for the monitoredindividual. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the monitoringindividual can be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, a relative, afriend, a guardian, or any other authorized person. In a situation wherethe monitored individual may be monitored by more than one monitoringindividual, then the respective reader system 80 or the respectivevenue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processing computer 20, atstep 1102, can transmit the entry notification message and/or the entryalert message to the user communication device 30 which is used by,associated with, or assigned to, each such monitoring individual.

In a preferred embodiment, the respective reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processingcomputer 20, can also, at step 1102, transmit the entry notificationmessage and/or the entry alert message to any law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40 and/or to any emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, if needed or desired. In another preferredembodiment, the personal monitoring device 10, at step 1102, can alsotransmit the entry notification message and/or the entry alert messageto the user communication device(s) 30 which is used by, associatedwith, or assigned to, the monitoring individual(s) for the monitoredindividual, and/or to any law enforcement communication device(s) 40,and/or to any emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, ifneeded or desired.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time during step 1102, the monitoringindividual can utilize the user communication device 30 in order toaccess the central processing computer 20 in order to monitor theposition or location of the personal monitoring device 10 and themonitored individual via the central processing computer 20. In apreferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individual entering avehicle, the monitoring individual can track and view the movement ofthe vehicle on a digital map which is displayed via the display device30E of the user communication device 30. In a preferred embodiment, atany time during step 1102, the monitoring individual can also utilizethe user communication device 30 to communicate with the personalmonitoring device 10 and the monitored individual.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1102, any user or operator of any lawenforcement communication device(s) 40 and/or of any emergency servicesprovider communication device(s) 50 can also utilize the same in orderto monitor the position or location of the personal monitoring device 10and the monitored individual via the central processing computer 20and/or in order to communicate with the personal monitoring device 10and the monitored individual and/or to communicate with any authorizeduser of any user communication device 30 used to monitor the monitoredindividual. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitoredindividual entering a vehicle, the user or operator of the respectivelaw enforcement communication device(s) 40 or the respective emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50 can also track and view themovement of the vehicle on a digital map which is displayed via therespective display device 40E or 50E of the respective law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40 or the respective emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50.

At step 1103, any data and/or information contained in the entrynotification message and/or the entry alert message, the date and timeof the generation of same, and/or any other data and/or informationregarding the same, can be stored in a travel log or travel history ofor for the monitored individual, which travel log or travel history canbe stored in any of the databases 10H, 20H, 30H, 40H, and/or 50H, of therespective devices, computers, or communications devices describedherein. Thereafter, the apparatus 100 can await the detection of themonitored individual exiting from the respective venue or the respectivevehicle.

At step 1104, when the monitored individual exits from the respectivevenue or from the respective vehicle, the RFID tag 70, of or associatedwith the monitored individual's personal monitoring device 10, can bedetected and/or read by the respective RFID reader 80L or RFID reader90L which is positioned at the respective door, doorway, gate, orgateway, of the respective venue or the respective vehicle through whichthe monitored individual exits the same. At step 1105, the detection ofthe RFID tag 70 can be reported, by and/or from the RFID reader system80 or the venue/vehicle computer 90, associated with the respective RFIDreader 80L or RFID reader 90L, to the central processing computer 20, tothe user communication device 30, and/or to the personal monitoringdevice 10, via a transmission of an appropriate signal from therespective RFID reader system 80 or the respective venue/vehiclecomputer 90 to the central processing computer 20, to the usercommunication device 30, and/or to the personal monitoring device 10.

At step 1105, the respective reader system 80 or the respectivevenue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processing computer 20,can generate an exit notification message and/or an exit alert messagewhich can contain and/or can include information identifying themonitoring individual, information regarding the date and time when themonitoring individual exited from the respective venue or exited fromthe respective vehicle, and/or information identifying the respectivevenue or the respective vehicle. In another preferred embodiment, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can also generate the herein-describedexit notification message and/or exit alert message.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualexiting from a venue, the exit notification message and/or exit alertmessage can contain and/or can include information regarding the addressof the venue and a contact individual and contact telephone number forthe venue. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitoredindividual exiting from a vehicle, the exit notification message and/orexit alert message can contain and/or can include information foridentifying the vehicle, identifying the type of vehicle (such as, forexample, a private car or vehicle, a car service vehicle, a ride-sharingvehicle (such as an Uber vehicle or a LYFT vehicle), a masstransportation vehicle, a bus, a train, a subway train, a boat of anytype, kind or size, or an aircraft or helicopter of any type, kind, orsize), and/or make and model information and/or vehicle identificationinformation for the vehicle, information regarding the vehicle operator,and/or contact information for the vehicle and/or the vehicle operatorand/or a telephone number for the vehicle owner or the vehicle operator.In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualexiting from a vehicle, the exit notification message and/or exit alertmessage can also contain and/or can include information regarding theposition or location of the vehicle at the time the monitored individualexited from the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the position orlocation of the vehicle can be determined and/or ascertained by theglobal positioning device 90K of the venue/vehicle computer 90associated with the respective venue or the respective vehicle.

At step 1105, the respective reader system 80 or the respectivevenue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processing computer 20,can transmit the exit notification message and/or the exit alert messageto the user communication device 30 which is used by, associated with,or assigned to, the monitoring individual for the monitored individual.In a situation where the monitored individual may be monitored by morethan one monitoring individual, then the respective reader system 80 orthe respective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processingcomputer 20 can, at step 1105, transmit the exit notification messageand/or the exit alert message to the user communication device 30 whichis used by, associated with, or assigned to, each such monitoringindividual. At step 1105, the respective reader system 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, and/or the central processingcomputer 20, can also transmit the exit notification message and/or theexit alert message to any law enforcement communication device(s) 40and/or to any emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, ifneeded or desired. In another preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10, at step 1105, can also transmit the exitnotification message and/or the exit alert message to the usercommunication device(s) 30 which is used by, associated with, orassigned to, the monitoring individual(s) for the monitored individual,and/or to any law enforcement communication device(s) 40, and/or to anyemergency services provider communication device(s) 50, if needed ordesired.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time during 1105, the monitoringindividual can utilize the user communication device 30 in order toaccess the central processing computer 20 in order to monitor theposition or location of the personal monitoring device 10 and themonitored individual via the central processing computer 20. In apreferred embodiment, at any time during 1105, the monitoring individualcan also utilize the user communication device 30 to communicate withthe personal monitoring device 10 and the monitored individual. In apreferred embodiment, at step 1105, any user or operator of any lawenforcement communication device(s) 40 and/or of any emergency servicesprovider communication device(s) 50 can also utilize the same in orderto monitor the position or location of the personal monitoring device 10and the monitored individual via the central processing computer 20and/or in order to communicate with the personal monitoring device 10and the monitored individual and/or to communicate with any authorizeduser of any user communication device 30 used to monitor the monitoredindividual.

At step 1106, any data and/or information contained in the exitnotification message and/or the exit alert message can be stored in atravel log or travel history of or for the monitored individual, whichtravel log or travel history can be stored in any of the databases 10H,20H, 30H, 40H, and/or 50H, of the respective devices, computers, orcommunications devices described herein. Thereafter, the operation ofthe apparatus 100 will cease at step 1107.

In a preferred embodiment, the travel log or travel history of or forthe monitored individual can be accessed at any time by any respectiveuser of a personal monitoring device 10, the central processing computer20, a user communication device 30, a law enforcement communicationdevice 40, or an emergency services provider communication device 50.Further, any authorized user of any personal monitoring device 10, usercommunication device 30, law enforcement communication device 40, oremergency services provider communication device 50, can also access thecentral processing computer 20 in order to request and receive anytravel log or travel history of or for the monitored individual asneeded.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of FIG. 11 can be used tomonitor the travels and whereabouts of individuals of all ages. Theapparatus of FIG. 11 can be used to monitor the travels and/orwhereabouts of children and/or individuals of any and/or all ages and/orindividuals which have any and/or all types of kinds of physical,mental, or emotional, states or conditions. In a preferred embodiment,for example, the apparatus 100 of FIG. 11 can be used to notify a parentor guardian when a child arrives at and/or has entered his or school orother venue and/or when the child leaves or exits from the school orother venue. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of FIG.11 can be used to notify an individual when a spouse or relative arrivesat and/or has entered his or place of work, or any other venue ordestination, and/or when the respective spouse or relative leaves orexits from the same. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100of FIG. 11 can be used to notify a spouse, relative, or friend, or anyother person, when an individual enters into a vehicle, such as carservice vehicle, a ride sharing vehicle, a mass transportation vehicle,or any other vehicle described herein, and/or when the individual exitsfrom the respective vehicle. In this regard, the apparatus of FIG. 11can provide notification regarding the location and/or whereabouts ofany individual whether the individual enters into a venue or a vehicleand/or exits from a venue or a vehicle.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can utilize the RFID tags 70, the RFID reader systems 80, theRFID readers 80L, the venue/vehicle computers 90, or RFID readers 90L,and the global positioning device 10K of the personal monitoring device10, along with an individual's itinerary or schedule information, inorder to monitor the location, movements, and/or whereabouts, of theindividual. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can also utilize the RFID tags 70, the RFID reader systems 80,the RFID readers 80L, the venue/vehicle computers 90, or RFID readers90L and the global positioning device 10K of the personal monitoringdevice 10, along with the itinerary or schedule information of or forindividuals, in order to monitor the location, movements, and/orwhereabouts, of the individuals of any and/or all ages.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another preferred embodiment method forutilizing the apparatus 100 and method of the present invention tomonitor a monitored individual, in flow diagram form. While thepreferred embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B is described and illustratedas being used to monitor a child, it is important to note that thepreferred embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B can be utilized in a same, asimilar, and/or an analogous, manner in order to monitor any person orindividual of any age and/or any person and/or individual in any type orkind of physical, mental, or emotional, state or condition. While thepreferred embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B is described and illustratedas being used to monitor a child in or during his or her whereaboutsand/or travels from one place to another, it is also important to notethat the present invention can also be utilized in a same, a similar,and/or an analogous, manner in order to monitor the child in or duringhis or her whereabouts and/or travels from one place to another, duringany given period of time and/or during the course of a day, and/or tomonitor any person or individual, of any age, in or during his or herwhereabouts and/or travels from one place to another, during any givenperiod of time and/or during the course of a day.

With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the operation of the apparatus 100commences at step 1200. At step 1201, the personal monitoring device 10can be activated to operate so as to determine, ascertain, and/ormonitor, the child's location or whereabouts. Depending upon the time ofthe particular day and the schedule of the child, the personalmonitoring device 10 can determine the child's position or location andcan determine such to be at an address, place, or location, where thechild should be at that particular time. For example, at 9:30 AM on aMonday morning during a school year, it is expected that the child canbe at his or her school. In a preferred embodiment, the child's travelitinerary or information regarding the same can be stored in thedatabase 10H of the personal monitoring device 10, and/or in thedatabase 20H of the central processing computer 20, and can includeinformation indicating that the child should leave school atapproximately 3:00 PM and travel back to his or her home, either bybeing driven in a vehicle or a school bus equipped with a respectiveRFID reader 80L or RFID reader 90L, or by riding a bicycle, or bywalking, or by travel by any other mode of travel.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can utilizeits global positioning device 10K in order to automatically and/or toconstantly ascertain and/or monitor its position or location, and/or thepersonal monitoring device 10 can ascertain or monitor its position orlocation at, in, or on, a respective venue or at, in, or on, arespective vehicle when the RFID tag 70 of the personal monitoringdevice 10 is detected and/or read by a respective RFID reader system 80,an RFID reader 80L, a venue/vehicle computers 90, or a RFID reader 90L,stationed at or located at the respective venue or the respectivevehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the respective RFID reader 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, upon detecting and reading theRFID tag 70, on or associated with the personal monitoring device 10,can generate and transmit a tag read signal to the personal monitoringdevice 10. In a preferred embodiment, the tag read signal can contain,among any other desired information, information regarding therespective address or position or location information of the respectivevenue or the respective vehicle and the date and time when the RFID tag70 was detected and/or read.

As noted herein, in a preferred embodiment, an RFID reader 80L or anRFID reader 90L can be positioned at, or can be stationed at, arespective door, doorway, gate, or gateway, for each door, doorway,gate, or gateway, which serves as an entry point into, or exit pointfrom, the respective venue or the respective vehicle. In a preferredembodiment, each respective RFID reader system 80, RFID readers 80L,venue/vehicle computers 90, or RFID reader 90L, can be utilized in asame, a similar, and/or an analogous, manner, as described in thepreferred embodiment of FIG. 11 in order to detect and/or read the RFIDtag 70 of or associated with the personal monitoring device 10 as thepersonal monitoring device 10 and the child enters into or on, and/orexits from, a respective venue or a respective vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1201, the personal monitoring device10 can automatically, constantly, and/or continuously, monitor itsposition or location and/or any updates to its position or location, byusing any position or location information obtained by or from itsglobal positioning device 10K, and/or by using stored addressinformation for or regarding any venue in or at which the personalmonitoring device 10 has been determined to be located, as the result ofthe RFID tag 70 of or associated with the personal monitoring device 10having been detected or read by an RFID reader 80L or 90L which islocated at that venue, and/or by using any global positioninginformation, as determined by the global positioning system device 10Kof the personal monitoring device 10, for or regarding any vehicle in orat which the personal monitoring device 10 has been determined to belocated, as the result of the RFID tag 70 of or associated with thepersonal monitoring device 10 having been detected or read by an RFIDreader 80L or 90L which is located at that vehicle.

At step 1202, the personal monitoring device 10, and/or the CPU 10A ofthe same, can detect a movement of the personal monitoring device 10,and can detect the child's location, and/or movement from his or herschool, or expected location at that given time, such as by monitoringand/or by comparing a change in the child's position or location, asdetermined by utilizing the global positioning system (GPS) device 10Kof the personal monitoring device 10, and/or by using any informationregarding any stored address information for or regarding any venue inor at which the personal monitoring device 10 has been determined to belocated or by using any global positioning information, as determined bythe global positioning system device 10K of the personal monitoringdevice 10, for or regarding any vehicle in or at which the personalmonitoring device 10 has been determined to be located.

At step 1202, upon detecting the child's movement and the time of thesame, and current position or location, the personal monitoring device10, if determining the time to be approximately 3:00 PM, can identifythe child's expected location and/or a preferred travel route back home.In a preferred embodiment, the child's preferred travel route from hisor her school back to his or her home can be pre-selected and can bepre-programmed by his or her parent, or guardian, or any othercaregiver, or other authorized person (a herein-defined “monitoringindividual”) and can be stored in the personal monitoring device 10and/or in the database 20H of the central processing computer 20.

At step 1202, the personal monitoring device 10 will determine orascertain the expected location and/or the preferred travel route thechild should respectively be located at or be taking back home and, if atravel route is concerned, will monitor the child's location or travelalong that preferred travel route. From this point on, the preferredtravel route of the child can simply be referred to as the “travelroute”.

At step 1203, the personal monitoring device 10 can await a detectionthat the child is not located at the expected location for that time, orhas deviated from the travel route, or has gone off course from thetravel route. Upon detecting that the child is not at the expectedlocation, or has deviated from the travel route, or has gone off coursefrom the travel route, the operation of the personal monitoring device10 will proceed to step 1204. At step 1204, the personal monitoringdevice 10, in a preferred embodiment, can perform any one or more of anumber of functions or operations in response to the detection of thechild not being at the expected location, or has deviated from thetravel route, or has gone off course from the travel route.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1204, the personal monitoring device10, and in particular, the CPU 10A, and/or the central processingcomputer 20, can generate an itinerary deviation message, in the case inwhich the child is not at the expected location, or a travel routedeviation message, in the case in which the child has deviated from thetravel route or has gone off course from the travel route. In thepreferred embodiment, the itinerary deviation message can contain and/orinclude information regarding the current location of the child and/orthe time in which the child arrived there, if known. For example, as anexample of the child not being at an expected location, the child couldbe detected as being at the school at 3:30 when the child shouldotherwise be on a school bus (a vehicle equipped with an RFID reader 80Lor 90L) and on a trip back to his or her house. In the preferredembodiment, the travel route deviation message can contain and/orinclude the current position or location of the child, as determined bythe position or location of the personal monitoring device 10, and/orthe time and/or place, position, or location, when and/or where thechild deviated from or left the travel route. The travel route deviationmessage can also include information regarding the portion of thechild's itinerary associated with the travel route from which the childhas deviated. For example, as in the example of the preferred embodimentwhen the child has deviated from his or her travel back home fromschool, the travel route deviation message can also contain informationindicating that the child has deviated from the travel route he or shewas taking to go home from school.

At step 1205, the personal monitoring device 10 can automaticallytransmit the respective itinerary deviation message or the respectivetravel route deviation message to the user communication device 30 whichis used by, associated with, or assigned to, the monitoring individualfor the child. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the monitoringindividual can be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, a relative, afriend, a guardian, or any other authorized person. In a situation wherethe child may be monitored by more than one monitoring individual, thenthe personal monitoring device 10, at step 1205, can transmit therespective itinerary deviation message or the respective travel routedeviation message to the user communication device 30 which is used by,associated with, or assigned to, each and every monitoring individualfor the child. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device10 can generate and transmit updated itinerary deviation messages or thetravel route deviation messages at any pre-determined or pre-selectedtime intervals.

At step 1205, the personal monitoring device 10 can also automaticallytransmit the respective itinerary deviation message or the respectivetravel route deviation message to the central processing computer 20 soas to report the child's itinerary deviation or travel route deviationto the central processing computer 20 and/or to any company or entitywhich operates same. At step 1205, the personal monitoring device 10 canalso automatically transmit the respective itinerary deviation messageor the respective travel route deviation message to the law enforcementcommunication devices 40 of or associated with each law enforcementagency or department associated with the city, town, municipality, orpolitical subdivision, in which the child was detected as havingdeviated from the itinerary or from the travel route, as well as to eachlaw enforcement communication device(s) 40 of or associated with anyneighboring cities, towns, municipalities, or political subdivisions. Atstep 1205, the personal monitoring device 10 can also automaticallytransmit the respective itinerary deviation message or the respectivetravel route deviation message to the emergency services providercommunication device 50 of or associated with the emergency servicesprovider agency or department of or for the city, town, municipality, orpolitical subdivision, in which the child was detected as havingdeviated from the itinerary or from the travel route, as well as to eachemergency services provider communication device 50 of or associatedwith any neighboring cities, towns, municipalities, or politicalsubdivisions. At step 1205, the respective itinerary deviation messageor the respective travel route deviation message can be received by theuser communication device 30, and by each central processing computer 20and/or law enforcement communication device 40 and/or emergency servicesprovider communication device 50 to which it was sent.

At step 1205, the personal monitoring device 10 can also obtain,determine, read, or record, any physiological or healthcare informationregarding the child such as, for example, but not limited to, thechild's heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, bloodsugar level, or any other healthcare information or healthcare-relateddata and/or information, or any other physical condition, physiologicalcondition, or healthcare condition, which can be measured or measurableby any wearable device or by any implanted device or implantable devicewhich can be obtained by or using any of the respective andherein-described devices, equipment, monitors, or measurement devices,which can be wearable or non-wearable and/or which can be connected toor with, or wirelessly linked to or with the personal monitoring device10 and/or the CPU 10A of same. Any data and/or information obtainedregarding any of the herein-described data and/or information can alsobe included in the respective itinerary deviation message of therespective travel route deviation message and/or in any subsequentlygenerated and transmitted itinerary deviation messages of travel routedeviation messages or any updated itinerary deviation messages or anyupdated travel route deviation messages. For example, in addition to thechild's current position or location, information regarding the child'sheart rate, body temperature, or any other healthcare information can beprovided in the respective itinerary deviation message(s) of travelroute deviation message(s).

In another preferred embodiment, the respective itinerary deviationmessage or travel route deviation message can also contain and/orinclude the temperature of the environment in which the child islocated, which can be exterior temperature if the child and the personalmonitoring device 10 are located outdoors, or an interior temperature ifthe child and the personal monitoring device 10 are located indoors.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10, at step1205, can also initiate a cellular or wireless telephone call to theuser communication 30 of the monitoring individual. In another preferredembodiment, if more than one monitoring individuals are associated withthe child, then the personal monitoring device 10 can initiate acellular or wireless telephone call, and/or a telephone conference call,to and/or so as to include the child and all monitoring individuals forthe child. In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10 can initiate a cellular or wireless telephone call, and/or atelephone conference call, to and/or so as to include at least onemonitoring individual and a law enforcement officer or individual, viaand/or by including a respective law enforcement communication device40, and/or an emergency services provider individual or person viaand/or by including an emergency services provider communication device50.

In a preferred embodiment, the cellular or wireless telephone call canbe made so as to put the child into live contact with, and/or into livecommunication with, the monitoring individual or monitoring individuals,and/or so as to put the child and the monitoring individual ormonitoring individuals into live contact with, and/or into livecommunication with, law enforcement personnel and/or emergency servicespersonnel.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1205, once the cellular or wirelesstelephone call and/or any conference line involving the monitoringindividual or monitoring individuals, and/or any law enforcement lawenforcement personnel and/or emergency services personnel, has been madeand, with the call line and/or conference line being live and/oron-going, the personal monitoring device 10 can de-activate the personalmonitoring device's 10 telephone call on/off switch, or on/off switchfunctionality, on or in the personal monitoring device 10 so that thepersonal monitoring device 10 cannot be disconnected from the telephonecall and/or the conference line. In a preferred embodiment, theherein-described de-activation of the telephone call on/off switch, oron/off switch functionality, of the personal monitoring device 10 can beeffectuated by using, and/or by programming the personal monitoringdevice 10, with or using any appropriate and/or suitable softwareprogram, algorithm, or software application. In a preferred embodiment,the personal monitoring device 10 can also be programmed and/or equippedso as to detect being disconnected from, or dropped from, the telephonecall and/or conference call, and can automatically re-connect to thetelephone call and/or to the conference call. It is to be understood,that any of the herein-described personal monitoring device(s) 10, usercommunication device(s) 30, law enforcement communication device(s) 40,and/or an emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, can beequipped with long lasting batteries or power sources, externalbatteries or power sources, and/or any other supplemental batteries orpower sources so as to ensure that sufficient electrical power isavailable and can be supplied to any of the herein-described personalmonitoring device(s) 10, user communication device(s) 30, lawenforcement communication device(s) 40, and/or an emergency servicesprovider communication device(s) 50.

In a preferred embodiment, the herein-described functionality ofestablishing a cellular or wireless telephone call, and/or conferencecall, can allow the child to be brought into, and to be maintained in,live contact with and/or live communication with, his or her monitoringindividual or one or more monitoring individuals, and/or with any numberof law enforcement personal and/or emergency services personnel. In thismanner, the monitoring individual or monitoring individuals, and/or anylaw enforcement personnel and/or emergency services personnel, can speakwith the child, can comfort or reassure the child that all will be okay,and/or can ascertain the child's whereabouts, while the child may belost or off track. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10 can activate the speakerphone, and/or any speakers and/ormicrophone, of same for and/or during the cellular or wireless telephonecall and/or conference call.

In a preferred embodiment, any activation or use of a speakerphonefunctionality of the personal monitoring device 10 can also be utilizedin order to establish or facilitate an intercom, or anintercommunication or intercom-like, communication platform or systemwhich can provide for open communication involving or between the child,any individual or person coming into contact with the child, and themonitoring individual, and/or any law enforcement personnel, emergencyservices personnel, or any operator of the central processing computer20.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1205, activate any camera, any video recording device orequipment, any microphone, or any audio recording device, of same,and/or any device or equipment of the video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 10J of same, for and/or during the cellular or wirelesstelephone call and/or conference call.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can,at step 1205, activate one or more indicator lights 18 or 19 on thepersonal monitoring device 10 which can be used to indicate that thechild is currently outside of his or her “safe” zone of travel. As notedherein, the personal monitoring device 10 can be provided with one ormore indicator lights 18 or 19 which can be used to indicate when thechild is inside or within his or her “safe” zone of travel and one ormore indicator lights 18 or 19 which can be used to indicate when thechild is not in, or outside, of his or her “safe” zone of travel. In apreferred embodiment, when the child is inside or within his or her“safe” zone of travel, one or more of these indicator lights 18 or 19can be lit or illuminated with a green light. In a preferred embodiment,when the child is outside of his or her “safe” zone of travel, one ormore of these indicator lights 18 or 19 can be lit or illuminated with ared light. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10and/or the CPU 10A can, at step 1205, activate or cause one or more ofthe indicator lights 18 or 19 to be lit or illuminated in red. In thisregard, any individual or person who may see, or come into contact withthe child can be notified, by seeing the red lights on the personalmonitoring device 10, that the child may be lost or otherwise in need ofassistance. In a preferred embodiment, any indicator lights can also beprovided via the display screen or in or via a portion or section of thedisplay screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1205, activate any camera, any video recording device orequipment, any microphone, or any audio recording device, of same,and/or any device or equipment of the video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 10J of same, for obtaining pictures, video information, videoclips, audio information, or audio clips, of the child, or anyindividual or person who or may come into contact with the child, and/orof any of the child's surroundings, environment, or location. In apreferred embodiment, any pictures, video information, video clips,audio information, or audio clips, recorded by and at the personalmonitoring device 10 can be transmitted to, and stored by or in, each ofthe user communication device 30 of the monitoring individual, each usercommunication device 30 of each monitoring individual, the centralprocessing computer 20, or any law enforcement communication device(s)40, and/or an emergency services provider communication device(s) 50. Inthis regard, any audio or video which can be used to ascertain thechild's location or which can be used to ascertain any individuals orpersons with the child or who the child may have come into contact with,can be recorded by the personal monitoring device 10 and can betransmitted to, and/or viewed and/or listened to, and/or stored, via orat each of the user communication device 30 of the monitoringindividual, each user communication device 30 of each monitoringindividual, the central processing computer 20, or any law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40, and/or an emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 canalso, at step 1205, begin to, or can continue to, record instances whenthe child enters into or on a venue or into or on a vehicle, bydetecting instances when the RFID tag 70, which is associated with thepersonal monitoring device 10 is detected or read by any RFID reader 90Lor RFID reader 90L, and/or can track the child's movements and cangenerate respective location update messages or respective trackingupdate messages at any pre-selected time interval(s), containinginformation regarding the child's location(s), movement(s), and speed oftravel or movement. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10, as well as the central processing computer(s) 20, the usercommunication(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device(s) 40,and/or the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, canbe equipped with software to calculate or otherwise determine thechild's speed of movement. In this manner, depending on the speed ofmovement of the child, it can also be determined if the child istraveling in or on a vehicle or is traveling on foot. In a preferredembodiment, the respective location update messages or the respectivetracking update messages can be automatically transmitted, at periodictime intervals, from the personal monitoring device 10 to the usercommunication(s) 30 of the monitoring individual(s), and/or, or as wellas, to the central processing computer(s) 20, any other usercommunication(s) 30, the law enforcement communication device(s) 40,and/or the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50.

In a preferred embodiment, information regarding the child's location ormovement can be also displayed and/or tracked on or via a digital orsatellite map which can be displayed on the display device 30E of therespective user communication(s) 30, or can be displayed on therespective display device(s) of the central processing computer(s) 20,the law enforcement communication device(s) 40, and/or the emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50. In a preferred embodiment,the information regarding the child's location or movement can also bedisplayed and/or tracked on or via a digital or satellite map which canbe displayed on the display screen 12 of the personal monitoring device10.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1205, activate a homing beacon or beacon of the personalmonitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the homing beacon orbeacon of the personal monitoring device 10 can transmit or provide asignal, a distress signal, or any other indication, which can beutilized in connection with a corresponding receiver, which can beprovided in or with each of the user communication device(s) 30, thecentral processing computer(s) 20, the law enforcement communicationdevice(s) 40, and/or the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s) 50, and which can allow for any user or operator of suchdevice(s) or computers 30, 20, 40, and/or 50, to track and/or to “home”in on or locate the child. In a preferred embodiment, the equipment andtechnology which can be used to implement the beacon or homing beaconand any associated receivers can be the same as, similar to, oranalogous to, the technology which was used in vehicle tracking devicessuch as Lo-Jack® systems and/or any other vehicle recovery systems orany other suitable vehicle tracking and locating systems which are knownby those skilled in the art of vehicle recovery systems. Any of theherein-described users or operators of any of the herein-describeddevice(s) or computers 30, 20, 40, and/or 50, can thereafter usehis/her/its respective device or computer 30, 20, 40, and/or 50, inorder to “home” in on the signals transmitted from or emitted from thebeacon or homing beacon.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1205, the personal monitoring device10 can also play any pre-recorded messages or video clips or audioclips, which messages, video clips, or audio clips, to the child via thedisplay screen 12 and speakers 16. In a preferred embodiment, thepre-recorded messages or video clips or audio clips can be pre-recordedby the monitoring individual or by any number of monitoring individuals,and can be stored in the personal monitoring device 10. The pre-recordedmessages or video clips or audio clips can be used in order to comfortthe child or calm the child down, if needed, by providing him or herwith the voice and/or image of the monitoring individual or monitoringindividuals. The pre-recorded messages or video clips or audio clips canalso contain or include contact information for the child or his or hermonitoring individual, name and address of the child, contact telephonenumbers, contact e-mail addresses, contact text message, MMS message, orSMS message, numbers, IP addresses, ad/or any other information, and/orcan contain any instructions and/or information needed for caring forthe child, including any medications or drugs which the child requiresand/or any other healthcare needs or any special needs of the child. Inthis regard, the pre-recorded messages or video clips or audio clips canalso contain or include any information which any individual or personmay need or find helpful in assisting the child until the child is foundor recovered.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1205, provide information, and/or a link to information,regarding or contained in the healthcare records of the child. In apreferred embodiment, any information contained in the child'shealthcare records can be stored in the personal monitoring device 10.In another preferred embodiment, a link or a hyperlink to the child'shealthcare records can be provided via the personal monitoring device 10so as to allow any individual or person to gain access to the child'shealthcare records, which healthcare records can be stored in or at thecentral processing computer 20, the user communication device 30 of amonitoring individual, or the healthcare records computer 60. In apreferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can provideinformation, and/or a link to information, regarding any healthcareneeds of the child or any special needs of the child.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1205, provide information regarding any instructions ordirections for guiding the child back onto his or her travel route. Inanother preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can, atstep 1205, activate or turn on a flashlight or a flashlightfunctionality, and/or a strobe light or a strobe light functionality.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time during step 1205 and/or at anyother time, the user communication device 30 can generate and/or cantransmit a control signal to the personal monitoring device 10 in orderto enable, disable, activate, de-activate, control an operation of, ormonitor an operation of, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or anycomponent, system, device, or equipment, of same. In this regard, theuser communication device 30 can generate and/or can transmit a controlsignal to the personal monitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable,activate, de-activate, control an operation of, or monitor an operationof, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or any component, system,device, or equipment, of same, including, but not limited to, the CPU10A, the input device(s) 10D, the display device(s) 10E, thetransmitter(s) 10F, the receiver(s) 10G, the output device(s) 101, thevideo and/or audio recording device(s) 10J, the GPS device 10K, any ofthe device functional systems 10L, the display screen 12, the displaysection 13, the keyboard section 14, the microphone(s) 15, thespeaker(s) 16, the camera(s) 17, or the indicator light(s) 18 or 19.

In a preferred embodiment, the user communication device 30 can also, atstep 1205 and/or at any other time, transmit the control signal over anyappropriate communication network(s) to the personal monitoring device10. In another preferred embodiment, the user communication device 30can transmit the control signal over the appropriate communicationnetwork(s) to the personal monitoring device 10 via the centralprocessing computer 20.

In another preferred embodiment, the central processing computer 20, atstep 1205 and/or at any other time, can also generate and/or cantransmit a control signal to the personal monitoring device 10 in orderto enable, disable, activate, de-activate, control an operation of, ormonitor an operation of, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or anycomponent, system, device, or equipment, of same. In this regard, theuser communication device 30 and/or the central processing computer 20can generate and/or can transmit a control signal to the personalmonitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable, activate, de-activate,control an operation of, or monitor an operation of, the personalmonitoring device 10 and/or any component, system, device, or equipment,of same, including, but not limited to, the CPU 10A, the input device(s)10D, the display device(s) 10E, the transmitter(s) 10F, the receiver(s)10G, the output device(s) 101, the video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 10J, the GPS device 10K, any of the device functional systems10L, the display screen 12, the display section 13, the keyboard section14, the microphone(s) 15, the speaker(s) 16, the camera(s) 17, or theindicator light(s) 18 or 19.

In another preferred embodiment, any authorized law enforcementcommunication device 40 and/or any authorized emergency servicesprovider communication device 50, at step 1205 and/or at any other time,can also generate and/or can transmit a control signal to the personalmonitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable, activate, de-activate,control an operation of, or monitor an operation of, the personalmonitoring device 10 and/or any component, system, device, or equipment,of same. In this regard, any authorized law enforcement communicationdevice 40 and/or any authorized emergency services providercommunication device 50 can generate and/or can transmit a controlsignal to the personal monitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable,activate, de-activate, control an operation of, or monitor an operationof, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or any component, system,device, or equipment, of same, including, but not limited to, the CPU10A, the input device(s) 10D, the display device(s) 10E, thetransmitter(s) 10F, the receiver(s) 10G, the output device(s) 101, thevideo and/or audio recording device(s) 10J, the GPS device 10K, any ofthe device functional systems 10L, the display screen 12, the displaysection 13, the keyboard section 14, the microphone(s) 15, thespeaker(s) 16, the camera(s) 17, or the indicator light(s) 18 or 19.

In a preferred embodiment, the law enforcement communication device 40and/or the emergency services provider communication device 50 can also,at step 1205, and/or at any other time, transmit the control signal overany appropriate communication network(s) to the personal monitoringdevice 10. In another preferred embodiment, the law enforcementcommunication device 40 and/or the emergency services providercommunication device 50 can transmit the control signal over theappropriate communication network(s) to the personal monitoring device10 via the central processing computer 20.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1205, the personal monitoring device10 and/or the CPU 10A can continue determining and tracking the child'sposition or location and/or movement by using the global positioningsystem device 10K. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10 and/or the CPU 10A, at any pre-defined or pre-selected timeinterval, which in a preferred embodiment can be one (1) minute or anyother suitable time interval, and while any and/or all functionalitydescribed herein as being performed at step 1205, can determine if thechild made it back onto his or her travel route and/or can determine ifthe child has been found. In this regard, the operation of the personalmonitoring device 10 can proceed to step 1206 and the personalmonitoring device 10 and/or the CPU 10A can determine if the child isback on his or her travel route or can determine if the child has beenfound and that an instruction to reset the personal monitoring device 10has been received by the personal monitoring device 10 or has been inputinto the personal monitoring device 10.

If, at step 1206, it is determined that the child is back on his or hertravel route, or that the child has been found, or that an instructionto reset the personal monitoring device 10 has been received by thepersonal monitoring device 10 or has been input into the personalmonitoring device 10, then the operation of the apparatus 100 will ceaseat step 1207. Thereafter, the personal monitoring device 10 can be resetfor future use. If at step 1206, it is determined that the child hasstill not made it back to his or her travel route, or that the child hasstill not been found, or that no instruction to reset the personalmonitoring device 10 has been received by the personal monitoring device10 or has been input into the personal monitoring device 10, then theoperation of the apparatus 100 will return to, or continue on asdescribed during, step 1205 as described herein. The apparatus 100 willthereafter continue to function and/or operate at steps 1205 and 1206until it is determined by the personal monitoring device 10 and/or theCPU 10A that the child is found to be back on his or her travel route,or the child has been found, or until an instruction to reset thepersonal monitoring device 10 has been received by the personalmonitoring device 10 or has been input into the personal monitoringdevice 10.

Although described herein as being utilized to monitor a child, it isimportant to note that the apparatus 100 and the personal monitoringdevice 10 of FIGS. 12A and 12B can be utilized in a same, a similar,and/or an analogous, manner to monitor individuals of any age, includingbut not limited to infants, children, adolescents, teenagers, adults ofany age, elderly individuals, individuals having no healthcare issues,conditions, problems, or challenges, and/or individuals havinghealthcare issues, conditions, problems, or challenges. The apparatus100 and method of the present invention as well as the apparatus ofFIGS. 12A and 12B can be used to monitor children who may be afflictedwith autism, or any disabilities, or who may lack communications skills,and/or who may have other conditions, as well as individuals of any agewho are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or Dementia, or any otherhealthcare conditions. The apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention as well as the apparatus of FIGS. 12A and 12B can be used tomonitor individuals of any age who may have no healthcare conditions orproblems, but who might want to simply utilize the apparatus 100 andmethod of the present inventions for the numerous benefits it canprovide.

In a preferred embodiment, any of the functions and/or functionalitydescribed herein as being performed by the personal monitoring device 10at or during step 1205 can be pre-programmed into the personalmonitoring device 10 beforehand by any authorized individual and/or by amonitoring individual. In a preferred embodiment, any of the functionsand/or functionality described herein as being performed by the personalmonitoring device 10 at or during step 1205 can be changed or can bere-programmed at any time. In another preferred embodiment, anyfunctions and/or functionality described herein as being performed bythe personal monitoring device 10 at or during step 1205 can also beenabled, disabled, activated, deactivated, or controlled, or monitored,by or via the user communication device 30, the central processingcomputer 20, the law enforcement communication device 40, or theemergency services provider communication device 50.

In a preferred embodiment, as well as in any and/or all of theembodiments described herein, a personal monitoring account can becreated or established for any monitored individual with whom theapparatus 100 and method of the present invention can be utilized. Inthis regard, a personal monitoring account can be established for amonitored individual and can be registered with the central processingcomputer 20, and/or with any law enforcement departments and/or agenciesand/or with an emergency services providers departments and/or agenciesso that the central processing computer 20 and the respective lawenforcement communication devices 40 and/or emergency services providerscommunication devices 50 can have records and/or information for orregarding any monitored individuals and the respective individual(s) whois/are to be monitoring them (the so-call “monitoring individuals”). Anyof the data and/or information described herein as being stored in anyof the databases 10H, 20H, 30H, 40H, 50H, and/or 60H, of any of theherein-described personal monitoring devices 10, central processingcomputers 20, user communication devices 30, law enforcementcommunication devices 40, emergency services providers communicationdevices 50, and/or healthcare records computers 60, can be stored in arespective monitored individuals personal monitoring account.

In another preferred embodiment, the operation of the apparatus 100and/or the personal monitoring device 10 can be triggered by, or can beactivated by or in response to the actions of, a monitoring individual.In a preferred embodiment, a monitoring individual can utilize asoftware application or a software “app” in order to determine theposition or location of personal monitoring device 10 and the monitoredindividual. The software application or software “app”, in a preferredembodiment, should be capable of determining the position or location ofthe personal monitoring device 10 and the monitored individual at anytime and/or on demand by the monitoring individual. In another preferredembodiment, the monitoring individual can also perform a “pinging”operation in order to utilize a communications services provider or anyother suitably equipped entity in order to “ping” or determine theposition or location of the personal monitoring device 10 and themonitored individual.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time, a monitoring individual caneither utilize a software application or a software “app” on his or heruser communication device 30, or can “ping” the personal monitoringdevice 10 of or associated by the monitored individual, in order todetermine the position or location of the personal monitoring device 10and the monitored individual and/or to determine if the monitoredindividual is at an expected place or location, is traveling on anappropriate travel route at that point or instant in time, or is at anunexpected or unapproved place or location, or has deviated from anappropriate travel route at that point or instant in time. If themonitored individual is determined to be at an unexpected or unapprovedplace or location, or has deviated from an appropriate travel route atthat point or instant in time, the monitoring individual can activatethe apparatus 100 and utilize same to find or locate, or otherwiseprovide assistance to, the monitored individual.

As described herein, any user or individual who utilizes a personalmonitoring device 10, or who has a personal monitoring device 10assigned to him or her, or who has a personal monitoring device 10associated with him or her, can again be referred to herein, or can bedefined herein as being, a “monitored individual”. As also describedherein, any user or individual who utilizes a user communication device10 to monitor a monitored individual can be referred to herein, or canbe defined herein as being, a “monitoring individual”.

As described herein, it is envisioned that a personal monitoring device10 can be programmed with, or have stored therein or therewith,information regarding the monitored individual's home address, residenceaddress, school residence address or place, workplace address, or otheraddress, place, or location, which is considered to be that monitoredindividual's place of safety or “home base” or “safe location”. In apreferred embodiment, it is envisioned that the personal monitoringdevice 10 can be programmed with, or can have stored therein ortherewith, information regarding any address(es), place(s), orlocation(s), to which the monitored individual typically travels on adaily basis. For example, the personal monitoring device 10 can beprogrammed with, or can have stored therein or therewith, informationregarding the monitored individual's school address, place, or location,workplace address, place, or location, employment address, place, orlocation, activity or event address, place, or location, or any otheraddress, place, or location, at which the monitored individual isexpected to be, or to which the monitored individual is known orexpected to be traveling, on a weekday basis, on a weekend daily basis,or on any daily basis.

As also described herein, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beprogrammed with the monitored individual's travel itineraries and/ortravel schedules for traveling to and between one address, place, orlocation to another address, place, or location. In this regard, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can also be programmed with travel routesor directions for traveling to and between one address, place, orlocation to another address, place, or location. As also noted herein,in a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beprogrammed with software programs, navigation programs, or anyalgorithms or software applications, for identifying, determining,ascertaining, or calculating, any travel routes or directions fortraveling from and between one address, place, or location, to anotheraddress, place, or location.

In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, the personalmonitoring device 10 can be utilized in connection with, or inconjunction with, the apparatus 100, the central processing computer 20,a user communication device 30 associated with, or used by, any user orindividual authorized to, or assigned to, monitor the monitoredindividual, any law enforcement communication device 40, and/or anyemergency services provider communication device 50. As also describedherein, the personal monitoring device 10 can also be utilized as astand-alone device by the monitored individual in order to allow themonitored individual to monitor his or her travels, whereabouts, orenvironment.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can utilize the RFID tags 70, the RFID reader systems 80, theRFID readers 80L, the venue/vehicle computers 90, or the RFID readers90L, along with an individual's itinerary or schedule information, inorder to monitor the location, movements, and/or whereabouts, of theindividual, and/or to determine whether or not a monitored individual isdeviating from, or has deviated from, his or her travel itinerary.

FIG. 13 illustrates another preferred embodiment method for utilizingthe apparatus 100 and method of the present invention to monitor amonitored individual, in flow diagram form. It is important to note thatthe preferred embodiment of FIG. 13 can be utilized in order to monitorany person or individual of any age and/or any person and/or individualin any type or kind of physical, mental, or emotional, condition. It isalso important to note the present invention can be utilized in monitora child in or during his or her whereabouts and/or travels from oneplace to another, during any given period of time and/or during thecourse of a day, and/or to monitor any person or individual, of any age,in or during his or her whereabouts and/or travels from one place toanother, during any given period of time and/or during the course of aday.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can utilize the RFID tags 70, the RFID reader systems 80, theRFID readers 80L, the venue/vehicle computers 90, or RFID readers 90L,along with an individual's itinerary or schedule information, in orderto monitor the location, movements, and/or whereabouts, of theindividual. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention can also utilize the RFID tags 70, the RFID reader systems 80,the RFID readers 80L, the venue/vehicle computers 90, or RFID readers90L, along with the itinerary or schedule information of or forindividuals, in order to monitor the location, movements, and/orwhereabouts, of the individuals of any and/or all ages.

With reference to FIG. 13, the operation of the apparatus 100 commencesat step 1300. At step 1301, the apparatus 100 will await a detectionand/or a reading of the RFID tag 70 on or associated with the monitoredindividual's personal monitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment,the RFID tag 70 can be detected and/or read by an RFID reader 80L, whichis associated with an RFID reader system 80 which services a venue or avehicle, or the RFID tag 70 can be detected and/or read by an RFIDreader 80L or by an RFID reader 90L which is associated with avenue/vehicle computer 90 which is associated with, or located at, avenue or a vehicle. As noted herein, in a preferred embodiment, therespective venue or vehicle can be equipped with an RFID reader(s) 80Lof a respective RFID reader system 80, or an RFID reader(s) 90L of arespective venue/vehicle computer 90.

In a preferred embodiment, an RFID reader 80L or an RFID reader 90L canbe positioned at, or can be stationed at, a respective door, doorway,gate, or gateway, for each door, doorway, gate, or gateway, which servesas an entry point into, or exit point from, the respective venue or therespective vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the respective RFIDreader 80L or the respective RFID reader 90L can detect and/or read theRFID tag 70, which is on or associated with the personal monitoringdevice 10 of the monitored individual, when the monitored individualenters into or onto a respective venue or into or onto a respectivevehicle.

At step 1302, the RFID reader 80L or an RFID reader 90L can detectand/or read the RFID tag 70 on or associated with the monitoredindividual's personal monitoring device 10 when the monitored individualenters into or onto a respective venue or a respective vehicle or whenthe monitored user exits from the respective venue or the respectivevehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the monitored individual enters orexits the respective venue or the respective vehicle via a respectivedoor, doorway, gate, or gateway, for each door, doorway, gate, orgateway, which serves as an entry point into, or exit point from, therespective venue or the respective vehicle. As noted above, therespective RFID reader 80L or an RFID reader 90L is or can be locatedat, positioned at, or stationed at, a respective door, doorway, gate, orgateway, of the respective venue or the respective vehicle.

At step 1302, the detection of the RFID tag 70 can be reported by and/orfrom the RFID reader system 80 or the venue/vehicle computer 90associated with the respective RFID reader 80L or the respective RFIDreader 90L, to the central processing computer 20, to the usercommunication device 30, and/or to the personal monitoring device 10,via a transmission of a signal or message, which signal or message isgenerated by, and transmitted from, the respective RFID reader system 80or the respective venue/vehicle computer 90 at step 1302. At step 1302,the signal or message is transmitted from the respective RFID readersystem 80 or the respective venue/vehicle computer 90 to the centralprocessing computer 20, to the user communication device 30, and/or tothe personal monitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the signalor message can contain information identifying the respective venue orthe respective vehicle, the address of the respective venue or theposition or location of the vehicle, as determined by the globalpositioning system device 90K of the venue/vehicle computer 90, and thetime and date of the detected entry into or onto, or exit from, therespective venue or the respective vehicle.

At step 1303, the central processing computer 20 and/or the personalmonitoring device 10 can receive the signal or the message and canprocess information contained or included in the same. At step 1303, thecentral processing computer 20 and/or the personal monitoring device 10can process information regarding the address of the venue or theposition or location of the vehicle at the time of the detected entry orexit from same, using information regarding the monitored individual'stravel itinerary, itinerary, or travel schedule, which is stored in therespective databases 20H of the central processing computer 20 and/orthe database 10H of the personal monitoring device 10, in order todetermine if the monitored individual is traveling in accordance with,or following, his or her travel itinerary, itinerary, or travelschedule, or in order to determine if the monitored individual is nottraveling in accordance with, or is not following, or has deviated from,his or her travel itinerary, itinerary, or travel schedule, or in orderto determine if the monitored individual may be lost or in need ofassistance. In a preferred embodiment, the central processing computer20 and/or the personal monitoring device 10 can compare the location,time, and day, or the detection of the RFID tag 70, on or associatedwith the personal monitoring device 10, with the monitored individual'stravel itinerary, itinerary, or travel schedule, in order to ascertainwhether or not the monitored individual is located at his or herexpected location or location of travel, or in close vicinity of same.

At step 1303, the central processing computer 20 and/or the personalmonitoring device 10 can generate itinerary or travel notificationmessage which can contain and/or can include information identifying themonitoring individual, information regarding the date and time of thedetection of the RFID tag 70, information identifying the respectivevenue or the respective vehicle, information regarding whether themonitored individual is following his or her travel itinerary,itinerary, or travel schedule, or in order to determine if the monitoredindividual is not following, or has deviated from, his or her travelitinerary, itinerary, or travel schedule, or may be lost or in need ofassistance.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualentering into or onto a venue, the itinerary or travel notificationmessage can contain and/or can include information regarding the addressof the venue and a contact individual and contact telephone number forthe venue. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitoredindividual entering into or onto a vehicle, the itinerary or travelnotification message can contain and/or can include information foridentifying the vehicle, identifying the type of vehicle (such as, forexample, a private car or vehicle, a car service vehicle, a ride-sharingvehicle (such as an Uber vehicle or a LYFT vehicle), a masstransportation vehicle, a bus, a train, a subway train, a boat of anytype, kind or size, or an aircraft or helicopter of any type, kind, orsize), and/or make and model information and/or vehicle identificationinformation for the vehicle, information regarding the vehicle operator,and/or contact information for the vehicle and/or the vehicle operatorand/or a telephone number for the vehicle owner or the vehicle operator.In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitored individualentering into or onto a vehicle, the itinerary or travel notificationmessage can also contain and/or can include information regarding theposition or location of the vehicle at the time the monitored individualenters into to onto the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the positionor location of the vehicle can be determined and/or ascertained by theglobal positioning device 90K of the venue/vehicle computer 90associated with the respective venue or the respective vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, the itinerary or travel notification messagecan contain and/or can include information for providing notificationthat the monitored individual is following his or her travel itinerary,itinerary, or travel schedule, or that the monitored individual is notfollowing, or has deviated from, his or her travel itinerary, itinerary,or travel schedule, or that the monitored individual may be lost or inneed of assistance.

At step 1303, the central processing computer 20 and/or the personalmonitoring device 10 can transmit the itinerary or travel notificationmessage to the user communication device 30 which is used by, associatedwith, or assigned to, the monitoring individual for the monitoredindividual. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the monitoringindividual can be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, a relative, afriend, a guardian, or any other authorized person. In a situation wherethe monitored individual may be monitored by more than one monitoringindividual, then the central processing computer 20 and/or the personalmonitoring device 10 can, at step 1303, transmit the itinerary or travelnotification message to the user communication device 30 which is usedby, associated with, or assigned to, each such monitoring individual. Ina preferred embodiment, the central processing computer 20 and/or thepersonal monitoring device 10 can also, at step 1303, transmit theitinerary or travel notification message to any law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40 and/or to any emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, if needed or desired.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time before, during, or after, steps1302 and/or 1303, the monitoring individual can utilize the usercommunication device 30 in order to access the central processingcomputer 20 and/or the personal monitoring device 10 in order to monitorthe position or location of the personal monitoring device 10, and themonitored individual, either indirectly via and using the centralprocessing computer 20 or directly by accessing the personal monitoringdevice 10. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitoredindividual entering a vehicle, the monitoring individual can track andview the movement of the vehicle on a digital map which is displayed viathe display device 30E of the user communication device 30. In apreferred embodiment, at any time during 1302 or 1303, the monitoringindividual can also utilize the user communication device 30 tocommunicate with the personal monitoring device 10 and the monitoredindividual.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1303, any user or operator of any lawenforcement communication device(s) 40 and/or of any emergency servicesprovider communication device(s) 50 can also utilize the same in orderto monitor the position or location of the personal monitoring device 10and the monitored individual via the central processing computer 20and/or directly by accessing the personal monitoring device 10, and/orin order to communicate with the personal monitoring device 10 and themonitored individual and/or to communicate with any authorized user ofany user communication device 30 used to monitor the monitoredindividual. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of the monitoredindividual entering a vehicle, the user or operator of the respectivelaw enforcement communication device(s) 40 or the respective emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50 can also track and view themovement of the vehicle on a digital map which is displayed via therespective display device 40E or 50E of the respective law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40 or the respective emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50.

At step 1304, the user communication device 30, and/or the respectivelaw enforcement communication device(s) 40 or the respective emergencyservices provider communication device(s) 50, can receive the itineraryor travel notification message. At step 1304, the monitoring individualcan access the information contained in the itinerary or travelnotification message can ascertain that the monitored individual isfollowing his or her travel itinerary, itinerary, or travel schedule, orthat the monitored individual is not following, or has deviated from,his or her travel itinerary, itinerary, or travel schedule, or that themonitored individual may be lost or in need of assistance. The operationof the apparatus 100 can then proceed to step 1305.

At step 1305, if the monitored individual is determined to be followinghis or her travel itinerary, itinerary, or travel schedule, then themonitoring individual may chose to either take no further action orperform any one or more of the actions described herein as being capableof being performed by the apparatus 100 at step 1305. At step 1305, ifthe monitored individual is determined to not be following, or hasdeviated from, his or her travel itinerary, itinerary, or travelschedule, or that the monitored individual may be lost or in need ofassistance, then the monitoring individual can perform any one or moreof the actions described herein as being capable of being performed bythe apparatus 100 at step 1305. In a preferred embodiment, any user ofany user or operator of any respective law enforcement communicationdevice(s) 40 or the respective emergency services provider communicationdevice(s) 50, can also receive, and review the information contained in,itinerary or travel notification message, and can perform any one ormore of the actions described herein as being capable of being performedby the apparatus 100 at step 1305.

At step 1305, the personal monitoring device 10 can perform any of thefunctions or functionality described herein as being performed by thepersonal monitoring device 10 at steps 1205 of the preferred embodimentof FIGS. 12A and 12B. At step 1305, the monitoring individual canutilize his or her user communication device 30 to perform any of thefunctions or functionality described herein as being capable of beingperformed by the user communication device 30 and/or the apparatus 100during step 1205 of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B. Atstep 1305, the respective law enforcement communication device(s) 40 orthe respective emergency services provider communication device(s) 50can also be utilized to perform any of the functions or functionalitydescribed herein as being capable of being performed by the usercommunication device 30 and/or the apparatus 100 during step 1205 of thepreferred embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B. At step 1305, the centralprocessing computer 20 can also perform any and/or all of the functionsor functionality described as being performed by the central processingcomputer 20 during step 1205 of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 12Aand 12B.

At step 1306, the central processing computer 10 can store, in thedatabase 10H of the same, any data and/or information regarding thedetected and/or read RFID tag 70, any data and/or information containedin any signal or message generated as a result of the detected RFID tag70, any data and/or information contained in the itinerary or travelnotification message, the itinerary or travel notification message,and/or any other information regarding any action performed by themonitoring individual, by any user of any user communication device 30,and/or by any user or operator of a the respective law enforcementcommunication device 40 or a respective emergency services providercommunication device 50, in a travel log or travel history of or for themonitored individual. In a preferred embodiment, at any time, themonitoring individual or any other authorized person can utilize a usercommunication device 30, a law enforcement communication device 40, oran emergency services provider communication device 50, in order accessthe central processing computer 20 and to request and receive any dataand/or information regarding the travel log or travel history of or forthe monitored individual or any other monitored individual. Thereafter,the operation of the apparatus 100 will cease at step 1307.

It is important to note that the apparatus 100 and the personalmonitoring device 10 of FIG. 13 can be utilized in a same, a similar,and/or an analogous, manner to monitor individuals of any age, includingbut not limited to infants, children, adolescents, teenagers, adults ofany age, elderly individuals, individuals having no healthcare issues,conditions, problems, or challenges, and/or individuals havinghealthcare issues, conditions, problems, or challenges. The apparatus100 and method of the present invention, as well as the apparatus ofFIG. 13, can be used to monitor children who may be afflicted withautism, or any disabilities, or who may lack communications skills,and/or who may have other conditions, as well as individuals of any agewho are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or Dementia, or any otherhealthcare conditions. The apparatus 100 and method of the presentinvention, as well as the apparatus of FIG. 13, can also be used tomonitor individuals of any age who may have no healthcare conditions orproblems, but who might want to simply utilize the apparatus 100 andmethod of the present inventions for the numerous benefits it canprovide.

In a preferred embodiment, any of the functions and/or functionalitydescribed herein as being performed by the personal monitoring device 10at or during step 1305 can be pre-programmed into the personalmonitoring device 10 beforehand by any authorized individual and/or by amonitoring individual. In a preferred embodiment, any of the functionsand/or functionality described herein as being performed by the personalmonitoring device 10 at or during step 1305 can be changed or can bere-programmed at any time. In another preferred embodiment, anyfunctions and/or functionality described herein as being performed bythe personal monitoring device 10 at or during step 1305 can also beenabled, disabled, activated, deactivated, or controlled, or monitored,by or via the user communication device 30, the central processingcomputer 20, the law enforcement communication device 40, or theemergency services provider communication device 50.

In another preferred embodiment, as well as in any and/or all of theembodiments described herein, the apparatus 100 and/or the personalmonitoring device 10 can also be utilized to record informationregarding any incidents of bullying, harassment, criminal acts, or anyother activities or events, perpetrated on, inflicted upon, or occurringinvolving the monitored individual and/or occurring in the vicinity ofthe monitored individual. In such an embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10 can be activated to record audio information and/or videoinformation regarding the event or the occurrence, the position orlocation of same, date and time of same, and/or any other pertinentinformation regarding same which can be obtained by, with, or using, thepersonal monitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, a monitoredindividual can manually activate the personal monitoring device 10. Inanother preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can beequipped with voice activation equipment and/or hardware and/or softwareand can be activated to record any information regarding an event oroccurrence by, or in response to, a voice activation command. In apreferred embodiment, any data and/or information recorded can be storedin the database 10H of the personal monitoring device 10 and/or can betransmitted to the user communication device(s) 30 of or associated withthe monitoring individual, to the central processing computer 20, and/orto any one of more law enforcement communication devices 40 and/oremergency services provider communication devices 50, for reporting andfor storing as evidence.

The apparatus 100 and method of the present invention can be utilized inorder to provide and support comprehensive personal monitoring servicesof a global nature for individuals of any age. The apparatus 100 andmethod of the present invention can also be utilized in order to provideand support comprehensive personal monitoring services of a globalnature for individuals of any age and regardless of whether or not theyhave any conditions, illnesses, sicknesses, disabilities, or healthconditions. The apparatus 100 and method of the present invention canalso be utilized to provide and service personal monitoring accounts forany number of individuals, with such personal monitoring accountsfacilitating the providing of personal monitoring services by and/orinvolving any number of various monitoring services providers, securityservices provider, healthcare providers, healthcare insurers, healthcarerecords service providers, and/or healthcare payers, and/or lawenforcement agencies and/or departments, and/or emergency servicesproviders agencies and/or departments.

In another preferred embodiment, as well as any and/or all of theembodiments described herein, any of the herein-described personalmonitoring device(s) 10, user communication devices 30, law enforcementcommunication devices 40, and/or emergency services providercommunications devices 50, can be configured and/or adapted to work inan entirely hands-free mode of operation. In this regard, any of theherein-described personal monitoring device(s) 10, user communicationdevices 30, law enforcement communication devices 40, and/or emergencyservices provider communications devices 50, can be configured and/oradapted so that they, as well as any operation or functionality of same,can be activated, deactivated, enabled, disabled, controlled, ormonitored, by voice-activation, so that any data, information, commands,directions, or instructions, can be input be entered by voice command,and/or so that or so that any data, information, commands, directions,or instructions, can be provided by or from the respective device 10,30, 40, and/or 50, in the form of audio or audio information.

In another preferred embodiment, any of the herein-described personalmonitoring devices 10, user communication devices 30, law enforcementcommunication devices 40, and/or emergency services providercommunications devices 50, can each be equipped with any needed ordesired hardware, circuitry, software, software programs, algorithms,and/or software applications (“apps”) for performing any and/or all oftheir respective functions and operations described herein. In anotherpreferred embodiment, any of the herein-described personal monitoringdevices 10, user communication devices 30, law enforcement communicationdevices 40, and/or emergency services provider communications devices50, can each be equipped with a “kill” switch functionality so that, iflost or stolen, the respective device(s) 10, 30, 40, and/or 50, cannotbe utilized by and/or cannot be misappropriated by another individual orperson and any data and/or information stored therein can be erased anddestroyed completely.

In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, the apparatus 100and method of the present invention can also be utilized in a same, asimilar, and/or an analogous, manner in order to monitor the movementsand/or whereabouts of vehicles of all types or kinds, shippingcontainers and/or articles of luggage of all types, kinds, or sizes,and/or articles of any type or kind. In such an application, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can be attached to, or located in, therespective vehicle, the respective shipping container or article ofluggage, or the respective article, or the components of the personalmonitoring device 10 can be integrated with or within the respectivevehicle, the respective shipping container or article of luggage, or therespective article.

In another preferred embodiment, as well as in any and/or all of theembodiments described herein, the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention can also be utilized in connection with, or in conjunctionwith, a distributed ledger and with Blockchain technology. In apreferred embodiment, a distributed ledger and Blockchain technology canbe utilized along with a central processing computer, in a combinedsystem, wherein certain of the transactions, described herein as beingperformed by the apparatus, can be processed and/or performed by and/orwith a central processing computer and/or certain other transactions canbe processed and/or performed by and/or with, and/or using, adistributed ledger and Blockchain technology or Blockchain technologies.In another preferred embodiment, any and/or all transactions, describedherein as being performed and/or processed by the apparatus, can also beprocessed and/or performed by and/or with, and/or using, a distributedledger and Blockchain technology or Blockchain technologies, and/or anycryptocurrency Blockchain technology or technologies.

In a preferred embodiment, any type of Blockchain technology can beutilized in connection with the apparatus and methods of the presentinvention. In a preferred embodiment, for example, the apparatus andmethods of the present invention can utilize a distributed ledger(s)along with any Blockchain technology or technologies, Bitcoin Blockchaintechnology or technologies, Ethereum Blockchain technology ortechnologies, Bitcoin Cash Blockchain technology or technologies,Litecoin Blockchain technology or technologies, Privacy Coin Bitcointechnology or technologies, and/or any other suitable Blockchaintechnology or technologies, and/or Smart contracts and/or Smart contracttechnology or technologies and/or decentralized autonomous organizations(DAOs), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) technology ortechnologies, and/or any combination of same.

Applicant incorporates by reference herein the subject matter andteachings of “Blockchain Technology Explained” by Alan T. Norman,“Blockchain” by Abraham K. White, “Blockchain—A Practical Guide ToDeveloping Business, Law, And Technology Solutions” by Joseph J. Bambaraand Paul R. Allen, and “Blockchain—Ultimate Guide To UnderstandingBlockchain, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies, Smart Contracts And The Future ofMoney” by Mark Gates, in their entirety, for all of their respectivesubject matter and teachings regarding distributed ledger technologyand/or technologies, Blockchain technology and/or technologies, Bitcointechnology and/or technologies, Bitcoin Blockchain technology and/ortechnologies, Ethereum technology and/or technologies, EthereumBlockchain technology and/or technologies, cryptocurrencies,cryptocurrency technology and/or technologies, and/or smart contracttechnology and/or technologies, and/or decentralized autonomousorganizations (DAOs) technologies, and/or peer-to-peer technology and/ortechnologies, and/or any other technology or technologies relatedthereto or which can be utilized in conjunction distributed ledgers,Blockchain technologies, Smart contracts, decentralized autonomousorganizations (DAOs), and/or cryptocurrencies.

By utilizing a distributed ledger and a suitable Blockchain technology,the apparatus and methods of the present invention can reduce the amountof processing performed by, and reliance on, a central processingcomputer and/or can eliminate the need for a central processing computerand any centralized entity which might operate the central processingcomputer.

It is important to note that the distributed ledger and the Blockchaintechnology utilized with same can also be referred to herein as a“distributed ledger/Blockchain technology”, “distributed ledger andBlockchain technology”, “distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem”, or “distributed ledger and Blockchain technology system”, orthat the distributed ledger and the Blockchain technology utilized withsame can also be referred by using any suitable phrase or terminologyindicative of an application or system which utilizes or which includesa distributed ledger which is used with any Blockchain technology orwhich is used in connection, or in conjunction, with any Blockchaintechnology.

FIG. 14 illustrates another preferred embodiment apparatus of thepresent invention, which is designated by the reference numeral 200, inblock diagram form. With reference to FIG. 14, the apparatus 200includes a central processing computer and distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system 220 (hereinafter “central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220”) as wellas any of, or each of, any of the other noted components, personalmonitoring devices 10, communication devices 30, 40, and/or 50,computers 60 and/or 90, RFID tags 70, and/or RFID reader systems 80, ofthe apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. The central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220 includes a central processingcomputer component 221, which can perform any and/or all of thefunctions described herein as being performed by the central processingcomputer 20 and/or the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, and a distributed ledgerand Blockchain technology system component 222, which can also performany and/or all of the functions described herein as being performed bythe central processing computer 10 and/or the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 illustrates the central processing computer component 221 of thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220 of FIG. 14, in block diagram form. With reference to FIG. 15,the central processing computer component 221, in a preferredembodiment, includes a CPU 221A, random access memory (RAM) 221B, readonly memory (ROM) 221C, user input device 221D, video and/or audiorecording devices 221J, display device 221E, transmitter 221F, receiver,database 221H, and an output device 2211.

The apparatus 200, in a preferred embodiment, can also be utilized in asame, a similar, and/or an analogous, manner, in order to perform all ofthe functions and functionalities of the apparatus 100 of each of FIG.11, FIGS. 12A and 12B, and FIG. 13 and can store any and/or all of thedata and/or information, reports, and/or messages, and/or any dataand/or information regarding the same, which is described herein asbeing detected, processed, updated, generated, received, and/ortransmitted, by the apparatus 100 and/or any component of the same.

In another preferred embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 11, theapparatus 200 of FIG. 14 can store, in the distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, any and/orall of the herein-described data and/or information regarding anydetection of, or any detection of any entry of, an RFID tag 70 of orassociated with a personal monitoring device 10 of or associated withany monitored individual, any data and/or information regarding anyreport, as well as any report, regarding such detection of the RFID tag70, any entry notification message or entry notification messagesdescribed herein as being generated and/or transmitted by the apparatus200, or any component of the same, and/or or any data and/or informationregarding the same, any data and/or information regarding, and/orcontained in, any travel log or travel history of or for the monitoredindividual and/or any update to the same, any data and/or informationregarding any detection of, or any detection of any exiting of, an RFIDtag 70 of or associated with a personal monitoring device 10 of orassociated with any monitored individual, any data and/or informationregarding any report, as well as any report, regarding such detection ofthe RFID tag 70, any exit notification message or exit notificationmessages described herein as being generated and/or transmitted by theapparatus 200, or any component of the same, and/or or any data and/orinformation regarding the same, and/or any data and/or informationregarding, and/or contained in, any travel log or travel history of orfor the monitored individual and/or any update to the same. In thisregard, in another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 200 of FIG. 14can store, in the distributed ledger and Blockchain technology systemcomponent 222 of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, any data and/or information,and/or any signal(s), report(s), or message(s), described herein asbeing detected, processed, updated, generated, received, and/ortransmitted, by the apparatus 100 and/or any component of the same in orduring any of the steps 1100 through 1107 of FIG. 11.

In another preferred embodiment of the embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B,the apparatus 200 of FIG. 14 can store, in the distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, any and/orall of the herein-described data and/or information regarding anydeterminations of the position or location of the personal monitoringdevice 10 of or associated with the monitored individual, any dataand/or information regarding any detection of an RFID tag 70 of orassociated with the personal monitoring device of or associated with themonitored individual, any data and/or information regarding any detectedmovement of, or travel of, the monitored individual, any data and/orinformation regarding any detected deviation of from an expected travelroute by the monitored individual, any travel route deviation messagegenerated by the personal monitoring device 10 of or associated with themonitored individual and/or any data and/or information regarding thesame, any audio and/or video information recorded by the personalmonitoring device 10 of or associated with the monitored individual, anyaudio and/or video information recording of any call or conference callwhich occurs at or during step 1205, any data and/or informationregarding any actions taken or performed and/or any control ormonitoring operations performed, and/or any other activity or activitiesdescribed herein which are performed or which occur at or during step1205 ed by the personal monitoring device 10 of or associated with themonitored individual, and/or any data and/or information regarding themonitored individual being detected as being back on a travel route oras being found. In this regard, in another preferred embodiment, theapparatus 200 of FIG. 14 can store, in the distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, any dataand/or information, and/or any signal(s), report(s), or message(s),described herein as being detected, processed, updated, generated,received, and/or transmitted, by the apparatus 100 and/or any componentof the same in or during any of the steps 1200 through 1207 of FIGS. 12Aand 12B.

In another preferred embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 13, theapparatus 200 of FIG. 14 can store, in the distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, any and/orall of the herein-described data and/or information regarding anydetection or reading of any RFID tag 70 of or associated with thepersonal monitoring device 10 of or associated with the monitoredindividual, and/or signal or messages and/or any data and/or informationregarding the same generated or transmitted at or during step 1302, anydata and/or information processed at or during step 1303, any itineraryor travel notification message and/or any data and/or informationregarding the same, any data and/or information regarding any actions,operations or functions performed at or during step 1305, and/or anydata and/or information regarding any data and/or information stored inthe database of the central processing computer 20 and/or 221. In thisregard, in another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 200 of FIG. 14can store, in the distributed ledger and Blockchain technology systemcomponent 222 of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, any data and/or information,and/or any signal(s), report(s), or message(s), described herein asbeing detected, processed, updated, generated, received, and/ortransmitted, by the apparatus 100 and/or any component of the same in orduring any of the steps 1300 through 1307 of FIG. 13.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate another preferred embodiment method forutilizing the apparatus 200 of FIG. 14, in flow diagram form. Inaddition to the apparatus 200 providing and/or performing any and/or allof the various functions and/or functionalities described in conjunctionwith the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the apparatus 200can also facilitate a telehealth visit or a remote healthcare visit, forthe monitored individual, with a medical doctor, a dentist, a therapist,and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services.

While the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 16A and 16B is described andillustrated as being used to monitor and/or to care for a child ormonitored individual, it is important to note that the preferredembodiment of FIGS. 16A and 16B can also be utilized in a same, asimilar, and/or an analogous, manner in order to monitor any person orindividual of any age and/or any person and/or individual in any type orkind of physical, mental, or emotional, state or condition. While thepreferred embodiment of FIGS. 16A and 16B is described and illustratedas being used to monitor and/or to care for a child or monitoredindividual in or during his or her whereabouts and/or travels from oneplace to another, it is also important to note that the presentinvention can also be utilized in a same, a similar, and/or ananalogous, manner in order to monitor the child or monitored individualin or during his or her whereabouts and/or travels from one place toanother, during any given period of time and/or during the course of aday, and/or to monitor and/or to care for any person or individual, ofany age, in or during his or her whereabouts and/or travels from oneplace to another, during any given period of time and/or during thecourse of a day.

With reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the operation of the apparatus 200commences at step 1600. At step 1601, the personal monitoring device 10can be activated to operate so as to determine, ascertain, and/ormonitor, the child's or monitored individual's location or whereabouts.Depending upon the time of the particular day and the schedule of thechild or monitored individual, the personal monitoring device 10 candetermine the child's or monitored individual's position or location andcan determine such to be at an address, place, or location, where thechild or monitored individual should be at that particular time. Forexample, at 9:30 AM on a Monday morning during a school year, it isexpected that the child or monitored individual can be at his or herschool. In a preferred embodiment, the child's or monitored individual'stravel itinerary or information regarding the same can be stored in thedatabase 10H of the personal monitoring device 10, and/or in thedatabase 221H of the central processing computer 220, and can includeinformation indicating that the child or monitored individual shouldleave school at approximately 3:00 PM and travel back to his or herhome, either by being driven in a vehicle or a school bus equipped witha respective RFID reader 80L or RFID reader 90L, or by riding a bicycle,or by walking, or by travel by any other mode of travel.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can utilizeits global positioning device 10K in order to automatically and/or toconstantly ascertain and/or monitor its position or location, and/or thepersonal monitoring device 10 can ascertain or monitor its position orlocation at, in, or on, a respective venue or at, in, or on, arespective vehicle when the RFID tag 70 of the personal monitoringdevice 10 is detected and/or read by a respective RFID reader system 80,an RFID reader 80L, a venue/vehicle computer 90, or a RFID reader 90L,stationed at or located at the respective venue or the respectivevehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the respective RFID reader 80 or therespective venue/vehicle computer 90, upon detecting and reading theRFID tag 70, on or associated with the personal monitoring device 10,can generate and transmit a tag read signal to the personal monitoringdevice 10. In a preferred embodiment, the tag read signal can contain,among any other desired information, information regarding therespective address or position or location information of the respectivevenue or the respective vehicle and the date and time when the RFID tag70 was detected and/or read.

As noted herein, in a preferred embodiment, an RFID reader 80L or anRFID reader 90L can be positioned at, or can be stationed at, arespective door, doorway, gate, or gateway, for each door, doorway,gate, or gateway, which serves as an entry point into, or exit pointfrom, the respective venue or the respective vehicle. In a preferredembodiment, each respective RFID reader system 80, RFID readers 80L,venue/vehicle computers 90, or RFID reader 90L, can be utilized in asame, a similar, and/or an analogous, manner, as described in thepreferred embodiment of FIG. 11 in order to detect and/or read the RFIDtag 70 of or associated with the personal monitoring device 10 as thepersonal monitoring device 10 and the child or monitored individualenters into or on, and/or exits from, a respective venue or a respectivevehicle.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1601, the personal monitoring device10 can automatically, constantly, and/or continuously, monitor itsposition or location and/or any updates to its position or location, byusing any position or location information obtained by or from itsglobal positioning device 10K, and/or by using stored addressinformation for or regarding any venue in or at which the personalmonitoring device 10 has been determined to be located, as the result ofthe RFID tag 70 of or associated with the personal monitoring device 10having been detected or read by an RFID reader 80L or 90L which islocated at that venue, and/or by using any global positioninginformation, as determined by the global positioning system device 10Kof the personal monitoring device 10, for or regarding any vehicle in orat which the personal monitoring device 10 has been determined to belocated, as the result of the RFID tag 70 of or associated with thepersonal monitoring device 10 having been detected or read by an RFIDreader 80L or 90L which is located at that vehicle.

At step 1602, the personal monitoring device 10, and/or the CPU 10A ofthe same, can detect a movement of the personal monitoring device 10,and can detect the child's or monitored individual's location, and/ormovement from his or her school, or expected location at that giventime, such as by monitoring and/or by comparing a change in the child'sor monitored individual's position or location, as determined byutilizing the global positioning system (GPS) device 10K of the personalmonitoring device 10, and/or by using any information regarding anystored address information for or regarding any venue in or at which thepersonal monitoring device 10 has been determined to be located or byusing any global positioning information, as determined by the globalpositioning system device 10K of the personal monitoring device 10, foror regarding any vehicle in or at which the personal monitoring device10 has been determined to be located.

At step 1602, upon detecting the child's or monitored individual'smovement and the time of the same, and current position or location, thepersonal monitoring device 10, if determining the time to beapproximately 3:00 PM, can identify the child's or monitoredindividual's expected location and/or a preferred travel route backhome. In a preferred embodiment, the child's or monitored individual'spreferred travel route from his or her school back to his or her homecan be pre-selected and can be pre-programmed by his or her parent, orguardian, or any other caregiver, or other authorized person (aherein-defined “monitoring individual”) and can be stored in thepersonal monitoring device 10 and/or in the database 221H of the centralprocessing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220.

At step 1602, the personal monitoring device 10 will determine orascertain the expected location and/or the preferred travel route thechild or monitored individual should respectively be located at or betaking back home and, if a travel route is concerned, will monitor thechild's or monitored individual's location or travel along thatpreferred travel route. From this point on, the preferred travel routeof the child or monitored individual can simply be referred to as the“travel route”.

At step 1603, the personal monitoring device 10 can await a detectionthat the child or monitored individual is not located at the expectedlocation for that time, or has deviated from the travel route, or hasgone off course from the travel route. Upon detecting that the child ormonitored individual is not at the expected location, or has deviatedfrom the travel route, or has gone off course from the travel route, theoperation of the personal monitoring device 10 will proceed to step1604. At step 1604, the personal monitoring device 10, in a preferredembodiment, can perform any one or more of a number of functions oroperations in response to the detection of the child or monitoredindividual not being at the expected location, or has deviated from thetravel route, or has gone off course from the travel route.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1604, the personal monitoring device10, and in particular, the CPU 10A, and/or the central processingcomputer 221 component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, can generate an itinerarydeviation message, in the case in which the child or monitoredindividual is not at the expected location, or a travel route deviationmessage, in the case in which the child or monitored individual hasdeviated from the travel route or has gone off course from the travelroute. In the preferred embodiment, the itinerary deviation message cancontain and/or include information regarding the current location of thechild or monitored individual and/or the time in which the child ormonitored individual arrived there, if known. For example, as an exampleof the child or monitored individual not being at an expected location,the child or monitored individual could be detected as being at theschool at 3:30 when the child or monitored individual should otherwisebe on a school bus (a vehicle equipped with an RFID reader 80L or 90L)and on a trip back to his or her house. In the preferred embodiment, thetravel route deviation message can contain and/or include the currentposition or location of the child or monitored individual, as determinedby the position or location of the personal monitoring device 10, and/orthe time and/or place, position, or location, when and/or where thechild or monitored individual deviated from or left the travel route.The travel route deviation message can also include informationregarding the portion of the child's or monitored individual's itineraryassociated with the travel route from which the child or monitoredindividual has deviated. For example, as in the example of the preferredembodiment when the child or monitored individual has deviated from hisor her travel back home from school, the travel route deviation messagecan also contain information indicating that the child or monitoredindividual has deviated from the travel route he or she was taking to gohome from school.

At step 1605, the personal monitoring device 10 can automaticallytransmit the respective itinerary deviation message or the respectivetravel route deviation message to the user communication device 30 whichis used by, associated with, or assigned to, the monitoring individualfor the child or monitored individual. In a preferred embodiment, forexample, the monitoring individual can be a parent, a grandparent, asibling, a relative, a friend, a guardian, or any other authorizedperson. In a situation where the child or monitored individual may bemonitored by more than one monitoring individual, then the personalmonitoring device 10, at step 1605, can transmit the respectiveitinerary deviation message or the respective travel route deviationmessage to the user communication device 30 which is used by, associatedwith, or assigned to, each and every monitoring individual for the childor monitored individual. In a preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can generate and transmit updated itinerarydeviation messages or the travel route deviation messages at anypre-determined or pre-selected time intervals.

At step 1605, the personal monitoring device 10 can also automaticallytransmit the respective itinerary deviation message or the respectivetravel route deviation message to the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220 so as to report the child's ormonitored individual's itinerary deviation or travel route deviation tothe central processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220 and/or toany company or entity which operates same. At step 1605, the personalmonitoring device 10 can also automatically transmit the respectiveitinerary deviation message or the respective travel route deviationmessage to the law enforcement communication device(s) 40 of orassociated with each law enforcement agency or department associatedwith the city, town, municipality, or political subdivision, in whichthe child or monitored individual was detected as having deviated fromthe itinerary or from the travel route, as well as to each lawenforcement communication device(s) 40 of or associated with anyneighboring cities, towns, municipalities, or political subdivisions. Atstep 1605, the personal monitoring device 10 can also automaticallytransmit the respective itinerary deviation message or the respectivetravel route deviation message to the emergency services providercommunication device 50 of or associated with the emergency servicesprovider agency or department of or for the city, town, municipality, orpolitical subdivision, in which the child or monitored individual wasdetected as having deviated from the itinerary or from the travel route,as well as to each emergency services provider communication device 50of or associated with any neighboring cities, towns, municipalities, orpolitical subdivisions. At step 1605, the respective itinerary deviationmessage or the respective travel route deviation message can be receivedby the user communication device 30, and by the central processingcomputer 221 component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220 and/or by each law enforcementcommunication device 40 and/or emergency services provider communicationdevice 50 to which it was sent.

At step 1605, the personal monitoring device 10 can also obtain,determine, read, or record, any physiological or healthcare informationregarding the child or monitored individual such as, for example, butnot limited to, the child's or monitored individual's heart rate, pulserate, blood pressure, body temperature, blood sugar level, pulse oxygendata and/or information, or any other healthcare information orhealthcare-related data and/or information, which can be obtained by anyone or more of the pulse rate monitor or measurement device orequipment, heart rate monitor of measurement device or equipment, bloodsugar monitor or measurement device or equipment, glucose monitor ormeasurement device or equipment, blood pressure monitor or measurementdevice or equipment, blood alcohol monitor or measurement device orequipment, pacemaker, defibrillator, thermometer for measuring anindividual's body temperature, pulse oximeter for measuring and/ormonitoring oxygen saturation and/or pulse rate, oximeter, digital fingerpulse oximeter, electrocardiogram monitor or device, EKG monitor ordevice, electroencephalogram monitor or device, EEG monitor or device,electromyography monitor or device, EMG monitor or device, or any otherdevice, monitor, or measurement, device or equipment, and/or anyelectrical or bio-medical device or equipment, which can measure anindividual's physical condition, health condition, health status,healthcare condition, or physiological condition or status, or any otherbiological or biometric data and/or information, or the personalmonitoring device 10 can also obtain, determine, read, or record, anydata and/or information regarding any other physical condition,physiological condition, or healthcare condition, which can be measuredor measurable by any wearable device or by any implanted device orimplantable device which can be obtained by or using any of therespective and herein-described devices, equipment, monitors, ormeasurement devices, which can be wearable or non-wearable and/or whichcan be connected to or with, or wirelessly linked to or with thepersonal monitoring device 10 and/or the CPU 10A of same.

Any data and/or information obtained regarding any of theherein-described data and/or information, obtained by any otherherein-described or other devices, can also be included in therespective itinerary deviation message or the respective travel routedeviation message and/or in any subsequently generated and transmitteditinerary deviation messages or travel route deviation messages or anyupdated itinerary deviation messages or any updated travel routedeviation messages. For example, in addition to the child's or monitoredindividual's current position or location, information regarding thechild's or monitored individual's heart rate, body temperature, or anyother healthcare information, can be provided in the respectiveitinerary deviation message(s) of travel route deviation message(s).

In another preferred embodiment, the respective itinerary deviationmessage or travel route deviation message can also contain and/orinclude the temperature of the environment in which the child ormonitored individual is located, which can be exterior temperature ifthe child or monitored individual and the personal monitoring device 10is located outdoors, or an interior temperature if the child ormonitored individual and the personal monitoring device 10 are locatedindoors.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10, at step1605, can also initiate a cellular or wireless telephone call to theuser communication 30 of the monitoring individual. In another preferredembodiment, if more than one monitoring individuals are associated withthe child or monitored individual, then the personal monitoring device10 can initiate a cellular or wireless telephone call, and/or atelephone conference call, to and/or so as to include the child ormonitored individual and all monitoring individuals for the child ormonitored individual.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 caninitiate a cellular or wireless telephone call, and/or a telephoneconference call, to and/or so as to include at least one monitoringindividual and a law enforcement officer or individual, via and/or byincluding a respective law enforcement communication device 40, and/oran emergency services provider individual or person via and/or byincluding an emergency services provider communication device 50. In apreferred embodiment, any cellular or wireless telephone call, and/or atelephone conference call, initiated by or received by, or made to, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can also be a video call or a videoconference call. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10, as well as any user communication device 30, law enforcementcommunication device 40, and/or emergency services providercommunication device 50, involved in any such cellular or wirelesstelephone call, and/or telephone conference call, and/or video call orvideo conference call, can record and store, in its respective database,and/or can transmit to the central processing computer 221 component ofthe central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220 and/or to the distributed ledger and Blockchain technologysystem component 222 of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, the entirety and/or any portionof the cellular or wireless telephone call, and/or a telephoneconference call, and/or video call or video conference call.

In a preferred embodiment, the recording of the cellular or wirelesstelephone call, and/or the telephone conference call, and/or the videocall or the video conference call, which can also be, or which can alsoinclude, a recording of the telehealth visit or the remote healthcarevisit (if applicable), can be stored in the distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220 as well ascan be stored in the database 221H of the central processing computer221 component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220.

In a preferred embodiment, the cellular or wireless telephone call canbe made so as to put the child or monitored individual into live contactand communication with, and/or into live communication with, themonitoring individual or monitoring individuals, and/or so as to put thechild or monitored individual and the monitoring individual ormonitoring individuals into live contact with, and/or into livecommunication with, law enforcement personnel and/or emergency servicespersonnel.

In a preferred embodiment, the child or monitored individual can also,at or during step 1605, be connected to or with a user communicationdevice 30 of or associated with a medical doctor, a dentist, atherapist, and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services, or any hospital or urgent care facility, soas to facilitate a telehealth visit or a remote healthcare visit for thechild or monitored individual with a medical doctor, a dentist, atherapist, and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services. In this regard, in a preferred embodiment,a telehealth visit or a remote healthcare visit can be provided to thechild or monitored individual at or during step 1605 or any other time.

In a preferred embodiment, the user communication device 30 can beutilized to conduct any telehealth visit or a remote healthcare visit.In this regard, the user communication device 30 of or associated with amedical doctor, a dentist, a therapist, and/or any other provider orhealthcare services and/or healthcare-related services, or any hospitalor urgent care facility, can be utilized to conduct the telehealth visitor the remote healthcare visit. In a preferred embodiment, thetelehealth visit or a remote healthcare visit can be recorded in itsentirety, and/or only a portion of the same can be recorded, and therecording of the same can then be transmitted to, and stored in, thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, in the database 221H of the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or in the distributedledger and Blockchain technology system component 222 of the centralprocessing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220.In a preferred embodiment, the telehealth visit or the remote healthcarevisit can also be recorded as part of, or as a portion of, the cellularor wireless telephone call, and/or the telephone conference call, and/orthe video call or the video conference call, and the cellular orwireless telephone call, and/or the telephone conference call, and/orthe video call or the video conference call, which may or may notinclude the recording of the telehealth visit or the remote healthcarevisit, can be stored in the distributed ledger and Blockchain technologysystem component 222 of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220 as well as can be stored in thedatabase 221H of the central processing computer 221 component of thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1605, once the cellular or wirelesstelephone call and/or any conference line involving the monitoringindividual or monitoring individuals, and/or any law enforcement lawenforcement personnel and/or emergency services personnel, has been madeand, with the call line and/or conference line being live and/oron-going, the personal monitoring device 10 can de-activate the personalmonitoring device's 10 telephone call on/off switch, or on/off switchfunctionality, on or in the personal monitoring device 10 so that thepersonal monitoring device 10 cannot be disconnected from the telephonecall and/or the conference line. In a preferred embodiment, theherein-described de-activation of the telephone call on/off switch, oron/off switch functionality, of the personal monitoring device 10 can beeffectuated by using, and/or by programming the personal monitoringdevice 10, with or using any appropriate and/or suitable softwareprogram, algorithm, or software application. In a preferred embodiment,the personal monitoring device 10 can also be programmed and/or equippedso as to detect being disconnected from, or dropped from, the telephonecall and/or conference call, and can automatically re-connect to thetelephone call and/or to the conference call. It is to be understood,that any of the herein-described personal monitoring device(s) 10, usercommunication device(s) 30, law enforcement communication device(s) 40,and/or an emergency services provider communication device(s) 50, can beequipped with long lasting batteries or power sources, externalbatteries or power sources, and/or any other supplemental batteries orpower sources so as to ensure that sufficient electrical power isavailable and can be supplied to any of the herein-described personalmonitoring device(s) 10, user communication device(s) 30, lawenforcement communication device(s) 40, and/or an emergency servicesprovider communication device(s) 50.

In a preferred embodiment, the herein-described functionality ofestablishing a cellular or wireless telephone call, and/or conferencecall, can allow the child or monitored individual to be brought into,and to be maintained in, live contact with and/or live communicationwith, his or her monitoring individual or one or more monitoringindividuals, and/or with any number of law enforcement personal and/oremergency services personnel. In this manner, the monitoring individualor monitoring individuals, and/or any law enforcement personnel and/oremergency services personnel, can speak with the child or monitoredindividual, can comfort or reassure the child or monitored individualthat all will be okay, and/or can ascertain the child's or monitoredindividual's whereabouts, while the child or monitored individual may belost or off track. In the same manner, a medical doctor, a dentist, atherapist, and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services, can also conduct a telehealth visit or aremote healthcare visit with or for the child or monitored individual.In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 canactivate the speakerphone, and/or any speakers and/or microphone, ofsame for and/or during the cellular or wireless telephone call and/orconference call.

In a preferred embodiment, any activation or use of a speakerphonefunctionality of the personal monitoring device 10 can also be utilizedin order to establish or facilitate an intercom, or anintercommunication or intercom-like, communication platform or systemwhich can provide for open communication involving or between the childor monitored individual, any individual or person coming into contactwith the child or monitored individual, and the monitoring individual,and/or any law enforcement personnel, emergency services personnel, anymedical doctor, dentist, therapist, and/or any other provider orhealthcare services and/or healthcare-related services, or any operatorof the central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchaintechnology system 220.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1605, activate any camera, any video recording device orequipment, any microphone, or any audio recording device, of same,and/or any device or equipment of the video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 10J of same, for and/or during the cellular or wirelesstelephone call and/or conference call, or video call or video conferencecall.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can,at step 1605, activate one or more indicator lights 18 or 19 on thepersonal monitoring device 10 which can be used to indicate that thechild or monitored individual is currently outside of his or her “safe”zone of travel. As noted herein, the personal monitoring device 10 canbe provided with one or more indicator lights 18 or 19 which can be usedto indicate when the child or monitored individual is inside or withinhis or her “safe” zone of travel and one or more indicator lights 18 or19 which can be used to indicate when the child or monitored individualis not in, or outside, of his or her “safe” zone of travel. In apreferred embodiment, when the child or monitored individual is insideor within his or her “safe” zone of travel, one or more of theseindicator lights 18 or 19 can be lit or illuminated with a green light.In a preferred embodiment, when the child or monitored individual isoutside of his or her “safe” zone of travel, one or more of theseindicator lights 18 or 19 can be lit or illuminated with a red light. Ina preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or the CPU10A can, at step 1605, activate or cause one or more of the indicatorlights 18 or 19 to be lit or illuminated in red. In this regard, anyindividual or person who may see, or come into contact with the child ormonitored individual can be notified, by seeing the red lights on thepersonal monitoring device 10, that the child or monitored individualmay be lost or otherwise in need of assistance. In a preferredembodiment, any indicator lights can also be provided via the displayscreen or in or via a portion or section of the display screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1605, activate any camera, any video recording device orequipment, any microphone, or any audio recording device, of same,and/or any device or equipment of the video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 10J of same, for obtaining pictures, video information, videoclips, audio information, or audio clips, of the child or monitoredindividual, or any other individual or person who or may come intocontact with the child or monitored individual, and/or of any of thechild's or monitoring individual's surroundings, environment, orlocation. In a preferred embodiment, any pictures, video information,video clips, audio information, or audio clips, recorded by and at thepersonal monitoring device 10 can be transmitted to, and stored by orin, each of the user communication device 30 of the monitoringindividual, each user communication device 30 of each monitoringindividual, the central processing computer 20, or any law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40, and/or an emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, and/or can be transmitted to and stored inthe central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, in the database 221H of the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or in the distributedledger and Blockchain technology system component 222 of the centralprocessing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220.In this regard, any audio or video which can be used to ascertain thechild's or monitored individual's location or which can be used toascertain any individuals or persons with the child or monitoredindividual or who the child or monitored individual may have come intocontact with, can be recorded by the personal monitoring device 10 andcan be transmitted to, and/or viewed and/or listened to, and/or stored,via or at each of the user communication device 30 of the monitoringindividual, each user communication device 30 of each monitoringindividual, the central processing computer 20, or any law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40, and/or an emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, and/or can be transmitted to any stored inthe central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, in the database 221H of the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or in the distributedledger and Blockchain technology system component 222 of the centralprocessing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220.

In another preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 canalso, at step 1605, begin to, or can continue to, record instances whenthe child or monitored individual enters into or on a venue or into oron a vehicle, by detecting instances when the RFID tag 70, which isassociated with the personal monitoring device 10 is detected or read byany RFID reader 90L or RFID reader 90L, and/or can track the child's ormonitored individual's movements and can generate respective locationupdate messages or respective tracking update messages at anypre-selected time interval(s), containing information regarding thechild's or monitored individual's location(s), movement(s), and speed oftravel or movement. In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoringdevice 10, as well as the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, the database 221H of thecentral processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or thedistributed ledger and Blockchain technology system component 222 of thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, the user communication(s) 30, the law enforcementcommunication device(s) 40, and/or the emergency services providercommunication device(s) 50, can be equipped with software to calculateor otherwise determine the child's or monitored individual's speed ofmovement. In this manner, depending on the speed of movement of thechild or monitored individual, it can also be determined if the child ormonitored individual is traveling in or on a vehicle or is traveling onfoot. In a preferred embodiment, the respective location update messagesor the respective tracking update messages can be automaticallytransmitted, at periodic time intervals, from the personal monitoringdevice 10, to the user communication(s) 30 of the monitoringindividual(s), and/or can also be transmitted to and stored at thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, in the database 221H of the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or in the distributedledger and Blockchain technology system component 222 of the centralprocessing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220,and/or can be transmitted to any other user communication(s) 30, the lawenforcement communication device(s) 40, and/or the emergency servicesprovider communication device(s) 50.

In a preferred embodiment, information regarding the child's ormonitored individual's location or movement can be also displayed and/ortracked on or via a digital or satellite map which can be displayed onthe display device 30E of the respective user communication(s) 30, orcan be displayed on the respective display device(s) of the centralprocessing computer(s) 221, the law enforcement communication device(s)40, and/or the emergency services provider communication device(s) 50.In a preferred embodiment, the information regarding the child's ormonitored individual's location or movement can also be displayed and/ortracked on or via a digital or satellite map which can be displayed onthe display screen 12 of the personal monitoring device 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1605, activate a homing beacon or beacon of the personalmonitoring device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the homing beacon orbeacon of the personal monitoring device 10 can transmit or provide asignal, a distress signal, or any other indication, which can beutilized in connection with a corresponding receiver, which can beprovided in or with each of the user communication device(s) 30, thecentral processing computer(s) 221, the law enforcement communicationdevice(s) 40, and/or the emergency services provider communicationdevice(s) 50, and which can allow for any user or operator of suchdevice(s) or computers 30, 20, 40, and/or 50, to track and/or to “home”in on or locate the child or monitored individual. In a preferredembodiment, the equipment and technology which can be used to implementthe beacon or homing beacon and any associated receivers can be the sameas, similar to, or analogous to, the technology which was used invehicle tracking devices such as Lo-Jack® systems and/or any othervehicle recovery systems or any other suitable vehicle tracking andlocating systems which are known by those skilled in the art of vehiclerecovery systems. Any of the herein-described users or operators of anyof the herein-described device(s) or computers 30, 221, 40, and/or 50,can thereafter use his/her/its respective device or computer 30, 221,40, and/or 50, in order to “home” in on the signals transmitted from oremitted from the beacon or homing beacon.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1605, the personal monitoring device10 can also play any pre-recorded messages or video clips or audioclips, which messages, video clips, or audio clips, to the child ormonitored individual via the display screen 12 and speakers 16. In apreferred embodiment, the pre-recorded messages or video clips or audioclips can be pre-recorded by the monitoring individual or by any numberof monitoring individuals, and can be stored in the personal monitoringdevice 10. The pre-recorded messages or video clips or audio clips canbe used in order to comfort the child or monitored individual or calmthe child or monitored individual down, if needed, by providing him orher with the voice and/or image of the monitoring individual ormonitoring individuals. The pre-recorded messages or video clips oraudio clips can also contain or include contact information for thechild or monitored individual or his or her monitoring individual, nameand address of the child or monitored individual, contact telephonenumbers, contact e-mail addresses, contact text message, MMS message, orSMS message, numbers, IP addresses, ad/or any other information, and/orcan contain any instructions and/or information needed for caring forthe child or monitored individual, including any medications or drugswhich the child or monitored individual requires and/or any otherhealthcare needs or any special needs of the child or monitoredindividual. In this regard, the pre-recorded messages or video clips oraudio clips can also contain or include any information which anyindividual or person may need or find helpful in assisting the child ormonitored individual until the child or monitored individual is found orrecovered.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1605, provide information, and/or a link to information,regarding or contained in the healthcare records of the child ormonitored individual. In a preferred embodiment, any informationcontained in the child's or monitored individual's healthcare recordscan be stored in the personal monitoring device 10. In another preferredembodiment, a link or a hyperlink to the child's or monitoredindividual's healthcare records can be provided via the personalmonitoring device 10 so as to allow any individual or person to gainaccess to the child's or monitored individual's healthcare records,which healthcare records can be stored in or at the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or inthe database 221H of the central processing computer 221 component ofthe central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, and/or the distributed ledger and Blockchain technologysystem component 222 of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, the user communication device30 of a monitoring individual, or the healthcare records computer 60. Ina preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can provideinformation, and/or a link to information, regarding any healthcareneeds of the child or monitored individual or any special needs of thechild or monitored individual.

In a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also,at step 1605, provide information regarding any instructions ordirections for guiding the child or monitored individual back onto hisor her travel route. In another preferred embodiment, the personalmonitoring device 10 can, at step 1605, activate or turn on a flashlightor a flashlight functionality, and/or a strobe light or a strobe lightfunctionality.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time during step 1605 and/or at anyother time, the user communication device 30 can generate and/or cantransmit a control signal to the personal monitoring device 10 in orderto enable, disable, activate, de-activate, control an operation of, ormonitor an operation of, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or anycomponent, system, device, or equipment, of same. In this regard, theuser communication device 30 can generate and/or can transmit a controlsignal to the personal monitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable,activate, de-activate, control an operation of, or monitor an operationof, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or any component, system,device, or equipment, of same, including, but not limited to, the CPU10A, the input device(s) 10D, the display device(s) 10E, thetransmitter(s) 10F, the receiver(s) 10G, the output device(s) 101, thevideo and/or audio recording device(s) 10J, the GPS device 10K, any ofthe device functional systems 10L, the display screen 12, the displaysection 13, the keyboard section 14, the microphone(s) 15, thespeaker(s) 16, the camera(s) 17, or the indicator light(s) 18 or 19.

In a preferred embodiment, the user communication device 30 can also, atstep 1605 and/or at any other time, transmit the control signal over anyappropriate communication network(s) to the personal monitoring device10. In another preferred embodiment, the user communication device 30can transmit the control signal over the appropriate communicationnetwork(s) to the personal monitoring device 10 via the centralprocessing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220.

In another preferred embodiment, the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, at step 1605 and/or at anyother time, can also generate and/or can transmit a control signal tothe personal monitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable, activate,de-activate, control an operation of, or monitor an operation of, thepersonal monitoring device 10 and/or any component, system, device, orequipment, of same. In this regard, the user communication device 30and/or the central processing computer 221 component of the centralprocessing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220can generate and/or can transmit a control signal to the personalmonitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable, activate, de-activate,control an operation of, or monitor an operation of, the personalmonitoring device 10 and/or any component, system, device, or equipment,of same, including, but not limited to, the CPU 10A, the input device(s)10D, the display device(s) 10E, the transmitter(s) 10F, the receiver(s)10G, the output device(s) 101, the video and/or audio recordingdevice(s) 10J, the GPS device 10K, any of the device functional systems10L, the display screen 12, the display section 13, the keyboard section14, the microphone(s) 15, the speaker(s) 16, the camera(s) 17, or theindicator light(s) 18 or 19.

In another preferred embodiment, any authorized law enforcementcommunication device 40 and/or any authorized emergency servicesprovider communication device 50, at step 1605 and/or at any other time,can also generate and/or can transmit a control signal to the personalmonitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable, activate, de-activate,control an operation of, or monitor an operation of, the personalmonitoring device 10 and/or any component, system, device, or equipment,of same. In this regard, any authorized law enforcement communicationdevice 40 and/or any authorized emergency services providercommunication device 50 can generate and/or can transmit a controlsignal to the personal monitoring device 10 in order to enable, disable,activate, de-activate, control an operation of, or monitor an operationof, the personal monitoring device 10 and/or any component, system,device, or equipment, of same, including, but not limited to, the CPU10A, the input device(s) 10D, the display device(s) 10E, thetransmitter(s) 10F, the receiver(s) 10G, the output device(s) 101, thevideo and/or audio recording device(s) 10J, the GPS device 10K, any ofthe device functional systems 10L, the display screen 12, the displaysection 13, the keyboard section 14, the microphone(s) 15, thespeaker(s) 16, the camera(s) 17, or the indicator light(s) 18 or 19.

In a preferred embodiment, the law enforcement communication device 40and/or the emergency services provider communication device 50 can also,at step 1605, and/or at any other time, transmit the control signal overany appropriate communication network(s) to the personal monitoringdevice 10. In another preferred embodiment, the law enforcementcommunication device 40 and/or the emergency services providercommunication device 50 can transmit the control signal over theappropriate communication network(s) to the personal monitoring device10 via the central processing computer 20.

In a preferred embodiment, at step 1605, the personal monitoring device10 and/or the CPU 10A can continue determining and tracking the child'sor monitored individual's position or location and/or movement by usingthe global positioning system device 10K. In a preferred embodiment, thepersonal monitoring device 10 and/or the CPU 10A, at any pre-defined orpre-selected time interval, which in a preferred embodiment can be one(1) minute or any other suitable time interval, and while any and/or allfunctionality described herein as being performed at step 1605, candetermine if the child or monitored individual has made it back onto hisor her travel route and/or can determine if the child or monitoredindividual has been found. In this regard, the operation of the personalmonitoring device 10 can proceed to step 1606 and the personalmonitoring device 10 and/or the CPU 10A can determine if the child ormonitored individual is back on his or her travel route or can determineif the child or monitored individual has been found and that aninstruction to reset the personal monitoring device 10 has been receivedby the personal monitoring device 10 or has been input into the personalmonitoring device 10.

If, at step 1606, it is determined that the child or monitoredindividual is back on his or her travel route, or that the child ormonitored individual has been found, or that an instruction to reset thepersonal monitoring device 10 has been received by the personalmonitoring device 10 or has been input into the personal monitoringdevice 10, then the operation of the apparatus 200 will cease at step1607. Thereafter, the personal monitoring device 10 can be reset forfuture use. If at step 1606, it is determined that the child ormonitored individual has still not made it back to his or her travelroute, or that the child or monitored individual has still not beenfound, or that no instruction to reset the personal monitoring device 10has been received by the personal monitoring device 10 or has been inputinto the personal monitoring device 10, then the operation of theapparatus 200 will return to, or continue on as described during, step1605 as described herein. The apparatus 200 will thereafter continue tofunction and/or operate at steps 1605 and 1606 until it is determined bythe personal monitoring device 10 and/or the CPU 10A that the child ormonitored individual is found to be back on his or her travel route, orthe child or monitored individual has been found, or until aninstruction to reset the personal monitoring device 10 has been receivedby the personal monitoring device 10 or has been input into the personalmonitoring device 10.

Although described herein as being utilized to monitor a child ormonitored individual, it is important to note that the apparatus 200 andthe personal monitoring device 10 of FIGS. 16A and 16B can be utilizedin a same, a similar, and/or an analogous, manner to monitor individualsof any age, including but not limited to infants, children, adolescents,teenagers, adults of any age, elderly individuals, individuals having nohealthcare issues, conditions, problems, or challenges, and/orindividuals having healthcare issues, conditions, problems, orchallenges. The apparatus 200 and method of the present invention aswell as the apparatus of FIGS. 16A and 16B can be used to monitorchildren who may be afflicted with autism, or any disabilities, or whomay lack communications skills, and/or who may have other conditions, aswell as individuals of any age who are afflicted with Alzheimer'sdisease or Dementia, or any other healthcare conditions. The apparatus200 and method of the present invention as well as the apparatus ofFIGS. 16A and 16B can be used to monitor individuals of any age who mayhave no healthcare conditions or problems, but who might want to simplyutilize the apparatus 200 and method of the present inventions for thenumerous benefits it can provide.

In a preferred embodiment, any of the functions and/or functionalitydescribed herein as being performed by the personal monitoring device 10at or during step 1605 can be pre-programmed into the personalmonitoring device 10 beforehand by any authorized individual and/or by amonitoring individual. In a preferred embodiment, any of the functionsand/or functionality described herein as being performed by the personalmonitoring device 10 at or during step 1605 can be changed or can bere-programmed at any time. In another preferred embodiment, anyfunctions and/or functionality described herein as being performed bythe personal monitoring device 10 at or during step 1605 can also beenabled, disabled, activated, deactivated, or controlled, or monitored,by or via the user communication device 30, the central processingcomputer 221 component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, the law enforcementcommunication device 40, or the emergency services providercommunication device 50.

In a preferred embodiment, as well as in any and/or all of theembodiments described herein, a personal monitoring account can becreated or established for any monitored individual with whom theapparatus 200 and method of the present invention can be utilized. Inthis regard, a personal monitoring account can be established for amonitored individual and can be registered with the central processingcomputer 221 component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or with any law enforcementdepartments and/or agencies and/or with an emergency services providersdepartments and/or agencies so that the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220 and/or the respective lawenforcement communication devices 40 and/or emergency services providerscommunication devices 50 can have records and/or information for orregarding any monitored individuals and the respective individual(s) whois/are to be monitoring them (the so-call “monitoring individuals”). Anyof the data and/or information described herein as being stored in anyof the databases 10H, 221H, 30H, 40H, 50H, and/or 60H, of any of theherein-described personal monitoring devices 10, central processingcomputer 221 component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, user communication devices 30,law enforcement communication devices 40, emergency services providerscommunication devices 50, and/or healthcare records computers 60, can bestored in a respective monitored individuals personal monitoringaccount. In a preferred embodiment, any data and/or informationregarding, and/or stored in, any a personal monitoring account(s) forany user or users of the apparatus 100 or apparatus 200 of the presentinvention can also be stored in or at the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or inthe database 221H of the central processing computer 221 component ofthe central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, and/or the distributed ledger and Blockchain technologysystem component 222 of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220.

In another preferred embodiment, the operation of the apparatus 200and/or the personal monitoring device 10 can be triggered by, or can beactivated by or in response to the actions of, a monitoring individualat any time and/or for any reason. In another preferred embodiment, theoperation of the apparatus 200 and/or the personal monitoring device 10can be automatically triggered by, or can be automatically activated byor in response to, any abnormal, questionable, or out of the ordinary,made, measured, obtained, or recorded, by any one or more of the pulserate monitor or measurement device or equipment, heart rate monitor ofmeasurement device or equipment, blood sugar monitor or measurementdevice or equipment, glucose monitor or measurement device or equipment,blood pressure monitor or measurement device or equipment, blood alcoholmonitor or measurement device or equipment, pacemaker, defibrillator,thermometer for measuring an individual's body temperature, pulseoximeter for measuring and/or monitoring oxygen saturation and/or pulserate, oximeter, digital finger pulse oximeter, electrocardiogram monitoror device, EKG monitor or device, electroencephalogram monitor ordevice, EEG monitor or device, electromyography monitor or device, EMGmonitor or device, or any other device, monitor, or measurement, deviceor equipment, and/or any electrical or bio-medical device or equipment,of or associated with the personal monitoring device 10, which canmeasure or represent an individual's physical condition, healthcondition, health status, healthcare condition, or physiologicalcondition or status, or any other biological or biometric data and/orinformation, and which can be representative of, or which can signify, amedical emergency or a healthcare emergency. In this regard, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can be utilized in order to detect and acton a medical emergency or a healthcare emergency for or on behalf of themonitored individual.

In a preferred embodiment, a monitoring individual can utilize asoftware application or a software “app” in order to determine theposition or location of personal monitoring device 10 and the monitoredindividual. The software application or software “app”, in a preferredembodiment, should be capable of determining the position or location ofthe personal monitoring device 10 and the monitored individual at anytime and/or on demand by the monitoring individual. In another preferredembodiment, the monitoring individual can also perform a “pinging”operation in order to utilize a communications services provider or anyother suitably equipped entity in order to “ping” or determine theposition or location of the personal monitoring device 10 and themonitored individual.

In a preferred embodiment, at any time, a monitoring individual caneither utilize a software application or a software “app” on his or heruser communication device 30, or can “ping” the personal monitoringdevice 10 of or associated by the monitored individual, in order todetermine the position or location of the personal monitoring device 10and the monitored individual and/or to determine if the monitoredindividual is at an expected place or location, is traveling on anappropriate travel route at that point or instant in time, or is at anunexpected or unapproved place or location, or has deviated from anappropriate travel route at that point or instant in time. If themonitored individual is determined to be at an unexpected or unapprovedplace or location, or has deviated from an appropriate travel route atthat point or instant in time, the monitoring individual can activatethe apparatus 200 and utilize same to find or locate, or otherwiseprovide assistance to, the monitored individual.

As described herein, any user or individual who utilizes a personalmonitoring device 10, or who has a personal monitoring device 10assigned to him or her, or who has a personal monitoring device 10associated with him or her, can again be referred to herein, or can bedefined herein as being, a “monitored individual”. As also describedherein, any user or individual who utilizes a user communication device10 to monitor a monitored individual can be referred to herein, or canbe defined herein as being, a “monitoring individual”.

As described herein, it is envisioned that a personal monitoring device10 can be programmed with, or have stored therein or therewith,information regarding the monitored individual's home address, residenceaddress, school residence address or place, workplace address, or otheraddress, place, or location, which is considered to be that monitoredindividual's place of safety or “home base” or “safe location”. In apreferred embodiment, it is envisioned that the personal monitoringdevice 10 can be programmed with, or can have stored therein ortherewith, information regarding any address(es), place(s), orlocation(s), to which the monitored individual typically travels on adaily basis. For example, the personal monitoring device 10 can beprogrammed with, or can have stored therein or therewith, informationregarding the monitored individual's school address, place, or location,workplace address, place, or location, employment address, place, orlocation, activity or event address, place, or location, or any otheraddress, place, or location, at which the monitored individual isexpected to be, or to which the monitored individual is known orexpected to be traveling, on a weekday basis, on a weekend daily basis,or on any daily basis.

As also described herein, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beprogrammed with the monitored individual's travel itineraries and/ortravel schedules for traveling to and between one address, place, orlocation to another address, place, or location. In this regard, thepersonal monitoring device 10 can also be programmed with travel routesor directions for traveling to and between one address, place, orlocation to another address, place, or location. As also noted herein,in a preferred embodiment, the personal monitoring device 10 can also beprogrammed with software programs, navigation programs, or anyalgorithms or software applications, for identifying, determining,ascertaining, or calculating, any travel routes or directions fortraveling from and between one address, place, or location, to anotheraddress, place, or location.

In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, the personalmonitoring device 10 can be utilized in connection with, or inconjunction with, the apparatus 200, the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or thecentral processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or thedistributed ledger and Blockchain technology system component 222 of thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, a user communication device 30 associated with, or used by,any user or individual authorized to, or assigned to, monitor themonitored individual, any law enforcement communication device 40,and/or any emergency services provider communication device 50. As alsodescribed herein, the personal monitoring device 10 can also be utilizedas a stand-alone device by the monitored individual in order to allowthe monitored individual to monitor his or her travels, whereabouts, orenvironment.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 200 of the presentinvention can utilize the RFID tags 70, the RFID reader systems 80, theRFID readers 80L, the venue/vehicle computers 90, or the RFID readers90L, along with an individual's itinerary or schedule information, inorder to monitor the location, movements, and/or whereabouts, of theindividual, and/or to determine whether or not a monitored individual isdeviating from, or has deviated from, his or her travel itinerary.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 and/or the apparatus200 can be utilized in order to facilitate telehealth services or remotehealthcare services to, for, or on behalf of, a monitored individual. Inthis regard, the apparatus 100 and/or the apparatus 200 can be utilizedin order to facilitate telehealth visits or remote healthcare visitsbetween a monitored individual and a medical doctor, a dentist, atherapist, and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services. In another preferred embodiment, theapparatus 100 and/or the apparatus 200 can be utilized in order tofacilitate telehealth visits or remote healthcare visits between amedical doctor, a dentist, a therapist, and/or any other provider orhealthcare services and/or healthcare-related services, and a caregiverfor the monitored individual, an individual seeking to aid the monitoredindividual, and/or a law enforcement officer or agent and/or emergencyservices personnel for or on behalf of the monitored individual.

FIG. 17 illustrates another preferred embodiment method for utilizingthe apparatus 200 of the present invention, in flow diagram form.Although the embodiment of FIG. 17 is described as pertaining to atelehealth visit or a remote healthcare visit involving or occurringbetween a monitored individual and a medical doctor, a dentist, atherapist, and/or any other provider or healthcare services and/orhealthcare-related services, it is important to note that the embodimentof FIG. 17 can also be utilized in a same, a similar, and/or ananalogous, manner to provide a telehealth visit or a remote healthcarevisit between a medical doctor, a dentist, a therapist, and/or any otherprovider or healthcare services and/or healthcare-related services, anda caregiver of the monitored individual, an individual seeking to assistor aid the monitored individual, and/or law enforcement personnel oremergency services personnel for or on behalf of the monitoredindividual.

With reference to FIG. 17, the operation of the apparatus 200 commencesat step 1700. In a preferred embodiment, at step 1701, the telehealthvisit or remote healthcare visit can be initiated in a number of ways.In a preferred embodiment, the monitored individual can initiate thetelehealth visit or remote healthcare visit to a healthcare provider whocan be a medical doctor, a dentist, a therapist, and/or any otherprovider or healthcare services and/or healthcare-related services, bytransmitting a telehealth visit signal from the personal monitoringdevice 10 of or associated with the monitored individual and in thepossession of the monitored individual.

In a preferred embodiment, information regarding the telephone number,cellular telephone number, IP address, or video conferencingidentification information, or any other information for initiating thetelehealth visit or remote healthcare visit with a healthcare provider.In a preferred embodiment, the healthcare provider can be a healthcareprovider of the monitored individual or the healthcare provider can beany available healthcare provider at the particular instant in time. Ina preferred embodiment, the telehealth visit signal can be transmittedfrom the personal monitoring device 10 directly to the usercommunication device 30 of or associated with the healthcare provider.In another preferred embodiment, the telehealth visit signal can, atstep 1701. be transmitted from the personal monitoring device 10 to thecentral processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, and/or to the central processing computer 221 component ofthe central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technologysystem 220, and/or to the distributed ledger and Blockchain technologysystem component 222 of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, as well as can be transmittedto the user communication device 30 of or associated with the healthcareprovider. In another preferred embodiment, such as when an availablehealthcare provider needs to be identified or located, or in or for anyother situation, the telehealth visit signal can be transmitted, at step1701, from the personal monitoring device 10 to the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or tothe central processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and thecentral processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, cantransmit the telehealth visit signal to the user communication device 30of or associated with the available healthcare provider.

In another preferred embodiment, at step 1701, the personal monitoringdevice 10 can be programmed to monitor and/or to record anymeasurement(s) from any one or more of any of the herein-described pulserate monitor or measurement device or equipment, heart rate monitor ofmeasurement device or equipment, blood sugar monitor or measurementdevice or equipment, glucose monitor or measurement device or equipment,blood pressure monitor or measurement device or equipment, blood alcoholmonitor or measurement device or equipment, pacemaker, defibrillator,thermometer for measuring an individual's body temperature, pulseoximeter for measuring and/or monitoring oxygen saturation and/or pulserate, oximeter, digital finger pulse oximeter, electrocardiogram monitoror device, EKG monitor or device, electroencephalogram monitor ordevice, EEG monitor or device, electromyography monitor or device, EMGmonitor or device, or any other device, monitor, or measurement, deviceor equipment, and/or any electrical or bio-medical device or equipment,of or associated with the personal monitoring device 10, which canmeasure or represent an individual's physical condition, healthcondition, health status, healthcare condition, or physiologicalcondition or status, or any other biological or biometric data and/orinformation, and/or which can be representative of, or which cansignify, a medical emergency or a healthcare emergency. Upon detecting amedical emergency or healthcare emergency regarding the monitoredindividual, the personal monitoring device 10 can automatically generatethe telehealth visit signal and can transmit the telehealth visit signalto the user communication device 30 of or associated with the healthcareprovider and/or to the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or to the centralprocessing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220 and/or forretransmission to the user communication device 30 of or associated withthe healthcare provider.

In a preferred embodiment, for example, a heart rate, a pulse rate, ablood pressure, a blood-sugar level, or any other measurement above apredetermined or preprogrammed number or range of numbers could signifya medical emergency for the monitored individual. Similarly, a bloodoxygen level, such as measured by an oximeter, below a predetermined orpreprogrammed number or range of numbers could signify a medicalemergency for the monitored individual. In a preferred embodiment, ahealthcare provider can remotely program the personal monitoring device10 of or associated with the monitored individual, using or via his orher user communication device 30, and/or using or via both his or heruser communication device 30 and the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220.

In another preferred embodiment, at step 1701, a caregiver or otherindividual can use their user communication device 30 to initiate andconduct the telehealth visit or remote healthcare visit by transmittinga telehealth visit signal to the user communication device 30 of orassociated with the healthcare provider and/or to the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or tothe central processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220 and/or forretransmission to the user communication device 30 of or associated withthe healthcare provider.

In another preferred embodiment, at step 1701, law enforcement personnelor emergency services provider personnel can use their respective lawenforcement communication device 40 or emergency services providercommunication device 50 to initiate and conduct the telehealth visit orremote healthcare visit by transmitting a telehealth visit signal to theuser communication device 30 of or associated with the healthcareprovider and/or to the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or to the centralprocessing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220 and/or forretransmission to the user communication device 30 of or associated withthe healthcare provider.

At step 1702, the telehealth visit or remote healthcare visit cancommence. At step 1703, the healthcare provider can conduct thetelehealth visit or the remote healthcare visit. In a preferredembodiment the entirety of the telehealth visit or remote healthcarevisit can be recorded and stored by the user communication device 30 ofor associated with the healthcare provider, can be recorded and storedby the personal monitoring device 10 of or associated with the monitoredindividual, can be monitored and stored by any user communication device30 of or associated with the caregiver or other individual, and/or canbe recorded and stored by any respective law enforcement communicationdevice 40 or any emergency services provider communication device 50which might be used, and/or can be recorded and stored by the centralprocessing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220,by the distributed ledger and Blockchain technology system component 222of the central processing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchaintechnology system 220, and/or by the central processing computer 221component of the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, in cases when the centralprocessing computer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220is used to host the telehealth visit or remote healthcare visit.

At step 1703, the healthcare provider can conduct the telehealth visitwith the monitored individual via his or her user communication device30 and the personal monitoring device 10 of or associated with themonitored individual. At step 1703, the healthcare provider can transmitany appropriate control signal(s) in order to obtain any measurementfrom, retrieve stored measurements from, or take live and/or real-timemeasurements from and/or using any one or more of any of theherein-described pulse rate monitor or measurement device or equipment,heart rate monitor of measurement device or equipment, blood sugarmonitor or measurement device or equipment, glucose monitor ormeasurement device or equipment, blood pressure monitor or measurementdevice or equipment, blood alcohol monitor or measurement device orequipment, pacemaker, defibrillator, thermometer for measuring anindividual's body temperature, pulse oximeter for measuring and/ormonitoring oxygen saturation and/or pulse rate, oximeter, digital fingerpulse oximeter, electrocardiogram monitor or device, EKG monitor ordevice, electroencephalogram monitor or device, EEG monitor or device,electromyography monitor or device, EMG monitor or device, or any otherdevice, monitor, or measurement, device or equipment, and/or anyelectrical or bio-medical device or equipment, of or associated with thepersonal monitoring device 10, which can measure or represent anindividual's physical condition, health condition, health status,healthcare condition, or physiological condition or status, or any otherbiological or biometric data and/or information, (hereinafter alsoreferred to as “healthcare equipment”) which is/are associated with thepersonal monitoring device 10. At step 1703, the healthcare provider canreceive, review, and/or analyze, and/or take, enter, or record any notesor observations regarding any measurement, data, and/or information,obtained.

At step 1703, the healthcare provider, can, with sufficient permissionor authority, access the electronic healthcare records of or themonitored individual by access the electronic healthcare recordscomputer 60 in order to gain access to the monitored individual'selectronic healthcare records. At step 1703, the healthcare provider canaccess the electronic healthcare records computer 60 via his or her usercommunication device 30, access and be provided with informationcontained in the monitored individual's electronic healthcare record(s),enter notes or observations into the monitored individual's electronichealthcare record(s), and/or perform any other authorized and/orpermitted activity. At step 1703, the healthcare provider can conduct atelehealth examination, including speaking to, and/or visuallyobserving, the monitored individual, and obtaining any needed or desireddata and/or information from the monitored individual and/or any of theherein-described healthcare equipment. Upon completion of the telehealthexamination, any data and/or information regarding the telehealth visitor remote healthcare visit, any data and/or information obtained byand/or provided by the healthcare provider, any notes or observationsmade by the healthcare provider, and a copy of the recorded telehealthvisit or remote healthcare visit, can be stored in the usercommunication device 30 of or associated with the healthcare provider,and/or can be transmitted to and stored in or at the personal monitoringdevice 10 of or associated with the monitored individual, and/or or canbe transmitted to and stored in or at any user communication device 30of a caregiver of the monitored individual, and/or can be transmitted toand stored in or at the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, the distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or thecentral processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or canbe transmitted to and stored in the electronic healthcare record(s)computer 60 and in the electronic healthcare record(s) of or for themonitored individual.

In another preferred embodiment, wherein a caregiver, any otherindividual, or any law enforcement personnel or emergency servicesprovider personnel conduct the telehealth visit or remote healthcarevisit for or on behalf of the monitored individual, and/or on thepresence of the monitored individual, then the healthcare provider cancommunicate with, and/or conduct the telehealth visit or the remotehealthcare visit, with the respective caregiver, other individual, orany law enforcement personnel or emergency services provider personnel,examine the monitored individual as best as the healthcare provider can,obtain any measurements, data, and/or information, access the monitoredindividual's electronic healthcare record(s), and make or enter anynoted or observations. Thereafter, at step 1703, the healthcare providercan complete the telehealth examination, including speaking to, and/orvisually observing, the monitored individual, and obtaining any neededor desired data and/or information from the monitored individual and/orany of the herein-described healthcare equipment. Upon completion of thetelehealth examination, any data and/or information regarding thetelehealth visit or remote healthcare visit, any data and/or informationobtained by and/or provided by the healthcare provider, any notes orobservations made by the healthcare provider, and a copy of the recordedtelehealth visit or remote healthcare visit, can be stored in the usercommunication device 30 of or associated with the healthcare provider,and/or can be transmitted to and stored in or at the personal monitoringdevice 10 of or associated with the monitored individual, and/or or canbe transmitted to and stored in or at any user communication device 30of a caregiver of the monitored individual, and/or can be transmitted toand stored in or at the central processing computer/distributedledger/Blockchain technology system 220, the distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or thecentral processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or canbe transmitted to and stored in the electronic healthcare record(s)computer 60 and in the electronic healthcare record(s) of or for themonitored individual, and/or can be transmitted to and store in or atthe respective user communication device 30 of the individual engaged inthe telehealth visit, and/or can be stored in or at the respective lawenforcement communication device 40 or emergency services providercommunication device 50 of or associated with the respective lawenforcement personnel or emergency services provider personnel who wasengaged in the telehealth visit.

Thereafter, at step 1703, any and/or all data and/or information, and/orany additional information, regarding the telehealth visit or remotehealthcare visit can be stored in the distributed ledger and Blockchaintechnology system component 222 of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220, and/or thecentral processing computer 221 component of the central processingcomputer/distributed ledger/Blockchain technology system 220.Thereafter, the operation of the apparatus 200 will cease at step 1704.

The apparatus 100, the apparatus 200, and/or any and/or all of themethods for utilizing the same described herein, and/or any of theherein-described embodiments, can be utilized in a same, a similar,and/or an analogous, manner in order to monitor and/or to safeguardanimals, pets, articles, vehicles. shipping containers, as well asvehicles transporting shipping containers, or any other person, animal,article, or piece of property.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated invarious preferred and alternate embodiments, such descriptions aremerely illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construedto be limitations thereof. In this regard, the present inventionencompasses all modifications, variations, and/or alternate embodiments,with the scope of the present invention being limited only by the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: an RFID reader, whereinthe RFID reader is located at an entrance of a venue or at an exit ofthe venue or the RFID reader is located at an entrance of a vehicle orat an exit of the vehicle; a processor; and a transmitter, wherein theRFID reader detects or reads an RFID tag on or associated with apersonal monitoring device, wherein the RFID tag is detected or read bythe RFID reader as the RFID tag enters the venue or the vehicle or exitsfrom venue or the vehicle, and further wherein the processor generates amessage containing information regarding a date and a time when the RFIDtag was detected or read by the RFID reader and location informationregarding the venue or the vehicle, and further wherein the transmittertransmits the message to a user communication device and to a centralprocessing computer, and further wherein information regarding themessage, or the message, is stored in a distributed ledger andBlockchain technology system.
 2. An apparatus, comprising: a database,wherein the database stores a travel itinerary or a travel schedule ofan individual; a global positioning device, wherein the globalpositioning device is located in or at a personal monitoring device; anRFID reader, wherein the RFID reader is located at an entrance of avenue or at an exit of the venue or the RFID reader is located at anentrance of a vehicle or at an exit of the vehicle; a receiver, whereinthe receiver is located in or at the personal monitoring device; aprocessor, wherein the processor controls an operation of the personalmonitoring device; and a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is locatedin or at the personal monitoring device; wherein the RFID reader detectsor reads an RFID tag and transmits a signal to the receiver, wherein thesignal contains information regarding the address or the position orlocation of the venue or the vehicle, wherein the processor determines afirst position or first location of the personal monitoring device,wherein the processor uses position or location information obtained bythe global positioning device in order to determine if the personalmonitoring device has moved to a second position or a second location,wherein, if the processor determines that the personal monitoring devicehas moved to the second position or second location, then the personalmonitoring device compares the second position or second location and acurrent time with information contained in the travel itinerary or thetravel schedule of the individual, and further wherein, if the secondposition or second location for the current time indicates a deviationfrom the travel itinerary or the travel schedule of the individual, theprocessor generates a travel itinerary deviation message, and furtherwherein the transmitter transmits the travel itinerary deviation messageto a user communication device and to a central processing computer, andfurther wherein information regarding the travel itinerary deviationmessage, or the travel itinerary deviation message, is stored in adistributed ledger and Blockchain technology system.
 3. An apparatus,comprising: a database, wherein the database stores a travel itineraryor a travel schedule of an individual; an RFID reader, wherein the RFIDreader is located at an entrance of a venue or at an exit of the venueor the RFID reader is located at an entrance of a vehicle or at an exitof the vehicle; a receiver, wherein the receiver is located in or at thepersonal monitoring device; a processor, wherein the processor controlsan operation of the personal monitoring device; and a transmitter,wherein the transmitter is located in or at the personal monitoringdevice; wherein the RFID reader detects or reads an RFID tag andtransmits a signal to the receiver, to a central processing computer, orto a user communication device, wherein the signal contains informationregarding the address or the position or location of the venue or thevehicle, wherein the processor determines a first position or firstlocation of the personal monitoring device, wherein the processor usesposition or location information obtained by a global positioningdevice, of the personal monitoring device, in order to determine if thepersonal monitoring device has moved to a second position or a secondlocation, wherein, if the processor determines that the personalmonitoring device has moved to the second position or second location,then the personal monitoring device compares the second position orsecond location and a current time with information contained in thetravel itinerary or the travel schedule of the individual, and furtherwherein, if the second position or second location for the current timeindicates a deviation from the travel itinerary or the travel scheduleof the individual, the processor or the central processing computergenerates a travel itinerary deviation message, and further wherein thetransmitter or the central processing computer transmits the travelitinerary deviation message to the user communication device, andfurther wherein information regarding the travel itinerary deviationmessage, or the travel itinerary deviation message, is stored in adistributed ledger and Blockchain technology system; and further whereinthe apparatus provides or facilitates a telehealth visit or a remotehealthcare visit involving the personal monitoring device and acommunication device of or associated with a healthcare provider, andfurther wherein information obtained during the telehealth visit or theremote healthcare visit, information entered by the healthcare provider,and a video and audio recording of the telehealth visit or the remotehealthcare visit, is stored in the distributed ledger and Blockchaintechnology system.